I?  PRINCETON,    N.    J-  '^* 


Shelf.. 


BX  9225  .B78  B7 
Brainerd,  Mary 
Life  of  Rev.  Thomas 
Brainerd,  D.D. 


■<.> 


.,^' 


/ 


LIFE 


REV.  THOMAS   BRAINERD,  D.D. 


LIFE 

OF 

REV.  THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D., 

FOR    THIRTY    YEARS 

PASTOR  OF  OLD  PINE  STREET  CHURCH, 

PHILADELPHIA. 

B  Y    M.  •  BRAINERD. 


P  ri  I  Ti  A  D  E  L  P  II  T  A  : 


J.    B.    LIPPINCOTT     &     CO. 

1870. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  C'.ngress,  in  the  jear  1870,  by 

J.   B.   LIPPINCOTT    &   CO., 

In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  United  States  for  the 
Eastern  District  of  Pennsylvania. 


PREFACE. 


The  present  work  was  commenced  at  the  urgent 
request  of  several  of  Dr.  Brainerd's  friends,  and 
prepared  chiefly  for  their  gratification.  It  is  a 
venture  in  a  new  field,  and  has  been  written  under 
many  disadvantages,  with  frequent  interruptions 
from  impaired  health  and  family  changes,  which  at 
one  time  would  make  writing  difficult  and  at 
another  impossible.  Removed  from  all  the  asso- 
ciations of  the  past,  and  without  the  opportunity 
of  asking  counsel  or  assistance  from  any  one,  it 
will  not  be  surprising  if  errors  of  judgment  and 
defects  in  execution  should  be  apparent;  but  the 
writer  is  encouraged  by  the  belief  that  the  personal 
friends,  for  whom  it  is  designed,  will  not  become 
severe  critics.  The  generous  contributions  from 
Dr.  Brainerd's  ministerial  brethren  constitute  the 
chief  attraction  of  the  book,  and  will  be  heartily 
appreciated  by  his  friends,  as  they  are  here  most 
gratefully  acknowledged  by  the  writer. 

(V) 


Vi  PREFACE. 

The  chapter  on  the  Division  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  was  written  before  the  Reunion  ;  and,  in 
the  simple  narration  of  facts,  the  writer  has  aimed 
to  avoid  everything  approaching  to  acrimony  or 
bitterness,  as  none  certainly  existed  in  the  heart  of 
the  subject  of  this  biography. 

The  oblivious  wave  of  time  closes  so  soon  over 
those  who  fall  in  its  current,  that  it  is  hoped  this 
imperfect  effort  to  rescue  the  earnest  life  of  a  man 
who  made  it  his  daily  prayer  that  "  the  world 
might  be  the  better  for  his  living  in  it" — may  not 
be  wholly  in  vain.  ^^    j^ 

Philadelphia,  March,  1870. 


OOE^TENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

PAOE 

Ancestry — Birth — Childhood 9 

CHAPTEK  II. 
School  Life — Leaving  Home 1 2G 

CHAPTEPv   III. 
Teaching — Eeading  Law 36 

CHAPTEK  IV. 

Andover  Theological  Seminary — Correspondence — 1828-1832.     52 

CHAPTEPv  V. 

First  Pastorate   at  Cincinnati — Editorship — Correspondence 

—1831-5 77 

CHAPTEPv  VI. 
Ecclesiastical  Controversies 97 

CHAPTEPv  VII. 

Cull  to  Utica — General  Assembly  at  Pittsburg 113 

CHAPTEPv  VIII. 

Life  iu  Philadelphia — Division  of  the  Presbyterian  Church...   136 

(Tii) 


viii  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTEK  IX. 

PAOE 

Personal  Characteristics — Events  of  Pastoral  Life — Anecdotes.  171 

CHAPTER  X. 
Family  Changer — ^^''isit  to  Europe — Shipwreck 197 

CHAPTEPv  XL 
Church  Building — Literary  Publications 221 

CHAPTER  XII. 
Juhh  Brown— The  War 248 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

Quarter  Century  Sermon  and  Festival 263 

CHAPTER  XIV. 
Current  Events — Anecdotes 296 

CHAPTER  XV. 

Fourth  of  July,  186G— Reception  of  State  Flags 345 

CHAPTER  XVI. 
Death  at  Scranton,  Pa. — Funeral  Services 357 

CHAPTER  XVII. 

Public  and  Private  Tributes 372 


!,  M 


LIFE 


REV.  THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 


CHAPTER   I. 

ANCESTRY — BIRTH — CIIILDUOOD. 

THE  Genealogy  of  the  Brainerd  Family  was  published  in 
1857,  by  the  Rev.  David  D.  Field,  D.D.,  of  Stoek- 
bridge,  Mass.,  in  a  volume  of  three  hundred  pages.  Dr. 
Field  was  for  twenty-eight  years  pastor  of  the  churches  of 
Iladdam  and  Higganum — the  Homestead  of  the  Brainerd 
family.  He  gives  abundant  proof  in  these  historical  records 
of  the  respect  and  affection  in  which  the  family  were  held, 
many  of  whom  were  reared  under  his  own  eye  as  mem- 
bers of  the  churches  to  which  he  ministered.  Eight  years 
later,  in  18G5,  the  publication  of  the  "Life  of  Rev.  John 
Brainerd,"  by  the  subject  of  the  present  biography,  led 
the  author  to  single  out,  for  personal  and  family  consider- 
tions,  one  particular  line  of  ancestry,  from  which  is  now 
drawn  a  still  more  direct  lineage  with  reference  to  the 
parentage  of  the  Rev.  Thomas  Brainerd. 

For  the  information  of  such  as  have  seen  neither  Dr. 
Field's  Genealogy  nor  the  Life  of  Rev.  John  Brainerd,  it 
is  proper  to  state,  briefly,  that  a  little  boy,  eight  years  of 

2  ■"  (9) 


10  LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D  D. 

ago,  named  Daniel  Brainerd,  came  over  from  Exeter,  Eng- 
land, in  the  3'oai'  1641),  with  the  Wyllis  family,  who  settled 
in  Hartford,  Conn.  At  the  age  of  twenty-one,  in  company 
with  twenty-seven  other  young  men  about  his  own  age, 
Daniel  Brainerd  went  thirty  miles  heloAV  Hartford,  and 
selected  a  tract  of  land  twelve  miles  t<quare,  comprehend- 
ing equal  portions  on  each  side  of  the  Connecticut  River. 
The  name  of  Haddam  was  given  to  the  new  settlement, 
and  Daniel  Brainerd  located  his  estate  about  two  miles 
above  the  present  village  of  Haddam  ;  and  his  property 
has  remained  with  his  descendants  nearly  two  hundred 
years,  to  the  present  generation.  He  aided  to  found  the 
first  cliurch  of  Haddam,  which  he  served  as  deacon.  Dr. 
Field  says  of  him  :  "  He  became  the  proprietor  and  settler 
of  Haddam  about  1662,  and  was  a  prosperous,  influential, 
and  very  respectable  man — a  justice  of  peace  in  the  toAvn, 
and  a  deacon  in  the  church." 

In  1664,  Daniel  Brainerd  married  Hannah  Spencer.  He 
had  eight  children.  His  youngest  son,  Hezekiah,  was  the 
father  of  the  missionary  brothers,  David  and  John  Brai- 
nerd. James,  the  second  son,  was  the  ancestor  of  Rev. 
Thomas  Brainerd.  He  was  born  June  2d,  1669,  and  was' 
married  April  1st,  1696.  He  had  a  large  family  of  chil- 
dren ;  the  third  child,  Gideon,  being  the  next  in  descent 
in  relation  to  the  subject  of  this  memoir.  Gideon  Brainerd 
was  born  March  4th,  1700.  He  married  Sarah  Seldon, 
and  left  five  children.  His  third  son,  Eliaktm,  born 
1732,  married  (first)  Eunice  Doane,  June  7th,  1753,  Avho 
left  one  child,  Jesse  Brainerd,  born  March  4th,  1754 — 
the  father  of  Rev.  Thomas  Brainerd. 

In  a  quiet,  shaded  grave-yard,  on  the  hill  near  Haddam, 
the  ancestors  and  descendants  of  five  generations  sleep 
side  by  side.  Of  no  place  in  our  country,  besides  a  New 
England  village,  could  this  be  said  ;  and  only  here  before 
the  last  half  century.     The  enterprise  and  ijumigration  of 


BIRTH.  11 

fifty  years  have  scattered  the  descenrlaats  of  the  Pilgrims 
through  the  length  and  breadth  of  this  vast  country.* 

Jesse  Brainerd  married  Mary  Thomas,  daughter  of  Ebc- 
nezer  Thomas,  May  23d,  117G.  They  lived  in  Haddam 
until  the  fall  of  1803,  when  they  removed  to  Leyden, 
Lewis  County,  New  York.  Eleven  children  were  born  to 
them  before  their  removal,  and  one  afterward. 

Thomas  Brainerd  was  the  youngest  of  these  twelve 
children,  and' was  born  June  17th,  1804, — the  year  after 
his  father's  removal  to  New  York.  He  was  called 
"  Thomas,"  after  the  family  name  of  his  mother.  Being 
four  years  younger  than  the  first  child  above  him,  and 
nine  younger  than  the  second,  he  was  emphatically  to  his 
parents,  the  child  of  their  old  age.  His  father  was  a  grave, 
silent,  reflective  man, — of  a  thorough  Puritan  type;  severe 
in  his  views  of  duty,  and  stern  in  his  adherence  to 
principle. 

®  The  following  inscriptions  were  copied  by  Rev.  Thomas  Brainerd 
himself  from  the  tombstones  of  his  own  direct  lineal  ancestry  of  four 
generations,  as  they  rest  side  by  side,  in  the  same  grave-yard  at  Iladdam. 
The  occurrence  is  as  uncommon  as  ii  is  interesting. 

"  H^re  lyeth  ye  body  of  Deacon  Damel  Braixerd;  aged  74  years. 
Who  died  April  1,  1715." 

"Here  lies  interred  the  body  of  Deacon  James  Brainerd,  who  died 
Feb.  10th,  1742 ;  aged  73  years." 

'•In  memory  of  Captain  Gideon  Brainerd,  who  died  Scj)t.  25th,  1767; 
in  ye  C8th  year  of  his  age." 

"  Hark,  what  a  solemn  sound, 
Let  friends  attend  ye  cry; 
Come  children  view  ye  ground, 
Where  you  must  shortly  lie." 

"In  memory  of  Deacon  Eliakim  Brainerd,  who  died  June  17th,  1815; 
aged  84.     'Blessed  are  the  dead  who  die  in  the  Lord.'  " 

Jesse  Bhainerd,  of  the  fifth  generation  from  Daniel  Brainerd,  was  in- 
terred in  Lewis  County,  New  York,  in  1837,  aged  84,  after  a  residence 
there  of  thirty-four  years. 


12  LIFE   OF  REV.  THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

Occupying  a  new  country,  Avhere  every  provision  of 
necessity  and  comfort  were  wrested  from  the  wilderness 
by  hard  labor,  and  where  "  laborers  were  few,"  the  chil- 
dren of  a  family  were  early  accustomed  to  share  the  toil 
and  responsibilities  of  their  parents.  A  sketch  of  the 
early  life  and  training  of  Thomas  Brainerd  cannot  be 
better  furnished  than  by  a  transcript  of  his  own  narrative, 
in  stating  the  influences  which  bore  upon  the  early  char- 
acter of  David  and  John  Brainerd.  In  adlit-rence  to  the 
plan  of  making  this  memoir,  as  far  as  possible,  an  autobi- 
ography, no  apology  is  needed  for  introducing  it  here. 

In  the  memorial  sermon  preached  by  the  Rev.  Albert 
Barnes,  on  the  death  of  Dr.  Brainerd,  he  says  :  "  In  re- 
spect to  his  own  early  training,  I  cannot  be  wrong  in  sup- 
posing that  his  account,  in  his  life  of  John  Brainerd — in 
accordance  with  the  general  course  of  family  discipline  in 
New  England — was  derived  from  what  occurred  substan- 
tially in  his  own  father's  house." 

When  writing  this  sketch  for  his  book.  Dr.  Brainerd 
said  repeatedl}'  in  his  home  circle,  that  he  had  drawn  a 
true  portrait  of  his  own  family  training, — while  reproduc- 
ing and  perpetuating  the  century  model  of  other  days. 

"We  had  enforced  on  us  in  early  life,  with  too  little 
effect,  we  fear,  many  of  the  principles  which  formed  the 
characters  of  David  and  John  Brainerd  one  hundred  and 
fifty  years  ago. 

"A  boy  was  early  taught  a  profound  respect  for  his 
parents,  teachers,  and  guardians,  and  implicit,  prompt 
obedience.  If  he  undertook  to  rebel,  his  will  was  broken 
by  persistent  and  adequate  punishment.  He  was  accus- 
tomed, every  morning  and  evening,  to  bow  at  tiie  family 
altar;  and  the  Bible  was  his  ordinary  reading-book  in 
school.  He  was  never  allowed  to  close  his  eyes  in  sleep 
without  prayer  on  his  pillow. 

"  At  a  sufficient  age,   no  caprice,  slight  illness,  or  any 


CIIILDnOOD.  13 

condition  of  roads  or  weather,  was  allowed  to  detain  him 
from  church.  In  the  sanctuary  he  was  required  to  be 
grav^e,  strictly  attentive,  and  able  on  his  return  at  least  to 
g'ive  the  text.  From  sundown  Saturday  evening-  until 
the  Sabbath  sunset,  his  sports  were  all  suspended,  and  all 
secular  reading-  laid  aside,  while  the  Bible,  the  New  Eng- 
land Primer,  Bunyan's  Pilgrim's  Progress,  Baxter's  Saint's 
Rest,  etc.,  were  commended  to  his  ready  attention  and 
cheerfully  pored  over. 

"  He  was  taught  that  his  blessings  were  abundant  and 
undeserved,  his  evils  relatively  few  and  merited,  and  that 
he  was  not  only  bound  to  contentment,  but  gratitude.  Ho 
was  taught  that  time  was  a  talent  to  be  always  improved; 
that  industry  was  a  cardinal  virtue,  and  laziness  the  worst 
form  of  original  sin.  Hence  he  must  rise  early,  and  make 
himself  useful  before  he  went  to  school;  must  be  diligent 
there  in  stud}',  and  be  promptly  home  to  do  '  chores'  at 
evening.  His  whole  time  out  of  school  must  be  filled  up 
by  some  service — such  as  bringing  in  fuel  for  the  day, 
cutting  potatoes  for  the  sheep,  feeding  the  swine,  water- 
ing the  horses,  picking  the  berries,  gathering  the  vegetables, 
spooling  the  yarn,  and  running  all  errands.  He  was  ex- 
pected never  to  be  reluctant,  and  not  often  tired. 

"  He  was  taught  that  it  was  a  sin  to  find  fault  with  his 
meals,  his  apparel,  his  tasks,  or  his  lot  in  life.  Labor  ho 
was  not  allowed  to  regard  as  a  burden,  nor  abstinence  from 
any  improper  indulgence  as  a  hardship.  His  clothes, 
Avoolen  and  linen,  for  summer  and  winter,  were  mostly 
spun,  woven,  and  made  up  by  his  mother  and  sisters  at 
home;  and,  as  he  saw  the  whole  laborious  process  of  their 
fabrication,  he  was  jubilant  and  grateful  for  two  suits,  with 
bright  buttons,  a  year.  Rents  were  carefully  closed  and 
holes  patched  in  the  'everj^-day' dress,  and  the  Sabbath 
dress  always  kept  new  and  fresh. 

"  He  was  expected  early  to  have  the  '  stops  and  marks,' 
2* 


U  LIFE   OF  REV.  THOMAS.  BRAIN ERD,  D.D. 

the  'abbreviations,'  the  'multiplication  table,'  the  'ten 
eoniniandnients,'  the  '  Lord's  Prayer,'  and  the  '  Shorter 
Catechism,'  at  his  tongue's  end. 

"  Courtesy  was  enjoined  as  a  duty.  He  must  be  silent 
among  his  superiors.  If  addressed  by  older  persons,  he 
must  respond  with  a  bow.  He  was  to  bow  as  he  entered 
and  left  the  school,  and  bow  to  every  man  or  woman,  old 
or  young,  rich  or  poor,  black  or  white,  whom  he  met  on 
the  road.  Special  punishment  was  visited  on  him  if  he 
failed  to  show  respect  to  the  aged,  the  poor,  the  colored, 
or  to  any  persons  whatever  whom  God  had  visited  with 
infirmities.  He  was  thus  taught  to  stand  in  awe  of  the 
rights  of  humanity. 

"  Honesty  was  urged  as  a  religious  duty,  and  unpaid 
debts  were  represented  as  infamy.  He  was  allowed  to  be 
sharp  at  a  bargain,  to  shudder  at  dependence,  but  still  to 
prefer  poverty  to  deception  or  fraud.  His  industry  was 
not  urged  by  poverty  but  by  duty.  Those  who  imposed 
upon  him  early  responsibility  and  restraint  led  the  way 
by  their  example,  and  commended  this  example  by  the 
prosperit}^  of  their  fortunes  and  the  respectaljility  of  their 
position,  as  the  result  of  their  virtues.  He  felt  that  they 
governed  and  restrained  him  for  his  good,  and  not  their 
own. 

"  He  learned  to  identify  himself  with  the  interests  he 
was  set  to  promote.  He  claimed  every  acre  of  his  father's 
ample  farm,  and  every  horse  and  ox  and  cow  and  sheep 
became  constructively  his,  and  he  had  a  name  for  each. 
The  waving  harvests,  the  garnered  sheaves,  the  gathered 
fruits,  were  all  his  own.  And  besides  these,  he  had  his 
individual  treasures.  He  knew  every  trout  hole  in  the 
streams ;  he  was  great  in  building  dams,  snaring  rabbits, 
trapping  squirrels,  and  gathering  chestnuts  and  walnuts 
for  winter  store.  Days  of  election,  training,  thanksgiving, 
and  school-intermissions  were  bright  spots  in  his  life.    His 


CHILDHOOD.  15 

loiit^  wintcv  ev^cning-s,  made  cheerful  by  sparkling"  fires 
within,  and  cold  clear  skies,  and  ice-crusted  plains,  and 
frozen  streams  for  his  sled  and  skates,  were  full  of  enjoy- 
ment. And  then  he  was  loved  by  those  whom  he  could 
respect,  and  cheered  by  that  future  for  which  he  was  being 
prepared.  Rolig-ion  he  was  taug-ht  to  regard  as  a  neces- 
sity and  luxury,  as  well  as  a  duty.  He  was  daily  brought 
into  contemplation  of  the  Infinite,  and  made  to  regard  him- 
self as  ever  on  the  brink  of  an  endless  being.  With  a  deep 
sense  of  obligation,  a  keen,  sensitive  conscience,  and  a  ten- 
der heart,  the  great  truths  of  religion  appeared  in  his  eye 
as  sublime,  awful,  practical  realities,  compared  with  which 
earth  was  nothing.  Thus  he  was  made  brave  before 
men  for  the  right,  while  he  lay  in  the  dust  before  God. 

"  Such  w^as  Haddam  training  one  hundred  years  ago. 
Some  may  lift  their  hands  in  horror  at  this  picture,  but  it 
was  a  process  which  made  moral  heroes.  It  exhibited  a 
society  in  which  wealth  existed  without  idleness  or  profli- 
gacy; social  elevation  without  arrogance;  labor  without 
degradation  ;  and  a  piety  which,  by  its  energ}^  and  martyr 
endurance,  could  shake  the  world. 

"  We  are  not  to  suppose  that  boyhood  passed  under 
these  influences  was  gloomy  or  joyless:  far  from  it.  Its 
activity  was  bliss ;  its  grov\^th  was  a  spring  of  life  ;  its 
achievements  were  victories.  Each  day  garnered  some 
benefit;  and  rising  life,  marked  by  successive  accumula- 
tions, left  a  smile  on  the  conscience,  and  bright  and  reason- 
able hopes  for  the  future. 

"  We  might  have  desired  that  this  Puritan  training  had 
left  childhood  a  little  larger  indulgence, — had  looked  with 
interest  at  present  enjoyment  as  well  as  at  future  good, — 
had  smiled  a  little  more  lovingly  on  the  innocent  gambols, 
the  ringing  laughter,  the  irrepressible  mirth  of  boyhood  ; 
and  had  frowned  less  sevei'ely  on  Imperfections  clinging 
to  human  nature  itself.     We  might  think  that,  by  insist- 


16    LIIE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAIXERD,  D.D. 

ing  too  much  on  obligation  and  too  little  on  privilege, — 
too  much  on  the  law  and  too  little  on  the  gospel, — too 
much  on  the  severity  and  too  little  on  the  goodness  of  the 
Deity, — the'  conscience  may  have  been  stimulated  at  the 
expense  of  the  affections,  and  men  fitted  for  another  world 
at  an  unnecessary  sacrifice  of  their  amiability  and  happi- 
ness in  the  present  life. 

"  But  in  leaving  this  Puritan  training,  the  world  had 
'  gone  farther  and  fared  worse.'  To  repress  the  iniquity 
of  the  age  and  land, — to  save  the  young  men  for  them- 
selves, their  country,  and  their  God, — I  believe  we  shall 
gain  most,  not  by  humoring  childhood's  caprices  and  sneer- 
ing at  strict  households,  strict  governments,  and  strict 
Sabbaths;  but  by  going  back  to  many  of  the  modes  which 
gave  to  the  world  such  men  as  John  Hampden,  Wil- 
liam Bradford,  Jonathan  Edwards,  Timothy  D wight,  and 
David  and  John  Brainerd  :" — may  we  not  now  add,  and 
Thomas  Brainerd'^ 

At  intervals,  during  his  whole  life,  Mr.  Brainerd  would 
get  up  great  zeal  for  "  keeping  a  journal,"  but  he  never 
persevered  long  in  it.  Fragments  of  "journals"  are  found 
among  his  papers,  sometimes  recording  events  of  some  in- 
terest, but  from  their  disconnected  character  of  little  avail 
for  a  biography.  The  recollections  of  his  early  life  consti- 
tute the  most  interesting  of  these  items. 

[extract  from  journal.] 

"  I  was  born  in  Leyden,  Lewis  County,  T^ew  York, 
June  17th,  1804.  My  father  emigrated  from  Haddam, 
Connecticut,  to  the  above-mentioned  town,  one  year  be- 
fore my  birth.  His  family  consisted  of  a  wife  and  ten 
children.  He  had  buried  one  little  girl,  named  Mary,  who 
died  young,  in  Haddam.  He  journeyed  up  the  country 
(as  it  was  then  called)  with  an  ox  team,  and  commenced 


CHILD  HOOD.  17 

clearing-  tliu  laud  uii  which  ho  at  present  resides.  He  had 
many  difficulties  to  encounter;  but  being  well  instructed 
in  the  art  of  subduing  a  new  countr}^  he  comfortably 
maintained  his  family,  and  added  to  the  amount  of  his 
possessions.  He  purchased  a  farm  of  about  one  hundred 
acres,  and  for  eleven  years  was  as  prosperous  in  pecu- 
niary concerns  as  any  of  his  neighbors.  I  was  the  twelfth 
child;  and",  though  I  was  soon  deprived  of  an  excellent 
mother," 

if  iti  :if  Hf.  if.  A^ 

[Here  several  leaves  are  torn  out.] 

"  When  I  first  commenced  going  to  school  I  was  three 
years  old.  I  was  a  little,  plump,  cherry-cheeked  urchin, 
very  vain  of  my  juvenile  attainments.  The  first  day  I  at- 
tended school  the  boys  put  me  into  a  spring  of  cold  water; 
and  as  I  then  wore  a  frock,  in  emerging  from  the  pool  I 
must  have  made  a  grotesque  appearance.  I  do  not  affirm 
positively  that  I  remember  this  transaction  ;  it  may  have 
been  told  nie  so  often  by  others,  in  my  infantile  j'cars,  that 
I  may  be  mistaken,  but  I  seem  to  recollect  it. 

"  Being  the  youngest  of  the  family — the  favorite  of  my 
mother — my  time  passed  in  an  uninterrupted  series  of 
childish  enjoyments  during  several  of  my  earliest  years. 
I  was  much  interested  in  the  pursuit  of  knowledge  ;  and 
in  the  schools  which  I  attended  saw  none  of  my  age  before 
me.  My  advancement  elicited  praise  from  my  friends, 
and  I  usually  gained  the  approbation  and  affection  of  my 
teachers.  Penalties  were  not  necessary  to  urge  me  on  or 
restrain  my  faults.  I  had  a  pride  of  character  which  kept 
me  aloof  from  boyish  pranks.  I  could  not  bear  the  thought 
that  my  parents  should  suppose  me  capable  of  being  a  bad 
boy  in  school. 

"  Unhappily  for  me,  about  this  time  a  teacher  was  em- 
ployed of  no  great  abilities  or  acquirements ;  indiscreet 
and  superficial,  but  vain  in  the  highest  degree  of  his  sta- 


18  LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BR  A I  NERD,  D.D. 

tion.  A  ferule  was  placed  in  the  hands  of  a  lad,  who 
was  directed  to  give  it  to  the  first  he  saw  whisper  ;  and  in 
default  of  finding  such,  he  was  to  be  punished  himself. 
This,  of  course,  was  offering  him  a  reward  for  tattling; 
and  like  most  other  informants,  whether  pedagogic  or 
governmental,  when  he  could  not  find  crimes  he  could 
cause  them.  By  a  system  of  chicanery  which  would 
hardly  find  a  parallel,  even  among  the  unprincipled  in- 
formants for  the  Inquisition,  he  made  a  friend  of  another 
lad, — suffered  him  to  whisper  and  whispered  with  him 
Avith  impunity.  They  conspired  against  me,  and  deter- 
mined, as  I  had  never  been  puljlicly  flogged,  that  I  should 
escape  no  longer.  They  therefore  commenced  a  conver- 
sation about  their  lesson  in  my  hearing,  making  false 
statements,  apparently  in  ignorance  as  to  the  amount 
necessary  to  be  studied.  The  plot  succeeded.  I  kindly 
attempted  to  set  them  right,  and  for  a  reward  of  ray  be- 
nevolence was  tendered  the  obnoxious  ruler.  I  protested, 
wept,  promised,  screamed,  but  it  was  unavailing.  I  stated 
the  circumstances — showed  that  I  had  no  evil  intention  in 
the  premises — but  my  master  was  inflexible.  I  tried  to 
establish  the  fact,  that  although  I  had,  perhaps,  violated 
the  letter,  I  had  not  the  spirit  of  the  law.  The  cruel  man 
was  deaf  to  the  voice  of  reason.  In  short,  I  was  punished 
for  no  crime. 

"  This  was  the  first  time  I  had  been  chastised  in  school; 
and  oh !  that  some  kind  influence  had  prevented  it  ! 
That  punishment  has  been  a  curse  to  me.  It  laid  the 
foundation  of  nearly  all  my  folly  and  sin.  Before,  I  was 
jealous  of  my  reputation,  was  desirous  to  be  thought  the 
best  boy  in  the  school ;  but  now  I  was  disgraced,  shamed, 
mortified ;  and  1  recklessly  plunged  into  all  the  wild,  rude 
excesses  of  childhood.  I  no  longer  sought  the  studious 
and  sober  for  playmates,  but  delighted  to  mingle  with  the 
most  rude  and  noisy  spirits  in  the  neighborhood  ;  and 


CHILDHOOD.  19 

cared  little  what  I  did,  provided  I  could  have  gport  and 

fun.* 

I 

"At  the  ag^c  of  six,  a  little  boy  near  my  father's,  named 
Lorenzo  Wolcott,  to  whom  I  was  much  attached,  Avas 
taken  sick  and  died.  I  was  unahle,  at  that  time,  fully  to 
understand  the  meaning  of  death.  I  was  told  that  Lorenzo 
was  to  be  buried  in  the  ground,  and  that  I  should  see  him 
no  more.  I  wept  bitterlv  the  morning  he  died;  thought 
much  on  what  this  thing,  death,  could  mean  ;  attended 
his  funeral,  and  was  a  real  mourner 

"  So  much  was  I  affected  by  what  I  had  seen  that  my 
tears  flowed  long  after  my  return  from  the  grave.  The 
thought  that  I  should  see  him  no  more  was  indescribably 
painful.  My  dear  mother  sympathized  with  me ;  kindly 
told  me  that  only  his  body  was  buried  ;  that  what  consti- 
tuted the  thinking  part  of  little  Lorenzo  was  in  heaven, 
to  which  place  I  should  go  if  I  Avas  a  good  boy  till  death. 

"  This  made  a  deep  impression  on  my  mind  ;  I  can 
never  forget  it.  From  six  to  fourteen  years  of  age  I  was 
subject  to  almost  continued  convictions  of  sin.  Under 
almost  every  sermon  which  I  heard  I  resolved  to  lead  a 
new  life." 

This  fragment  was  written  in  1828.  His  later  records, 
"few  and  far  between,"  refer  more  especially  to  his  religi- 
ous emotions  and  purposes.  They  resemble,  in  character, 
portions  of  David  Brainerd's  Diary.  Inheriting  the  family 
constitution,  with  a  tendency  to  the  same  nervous  depres- 
sion, they  are  imbued  with  the  somber  rather  than  the 
bright  shades  of  Christian  experience.  It  has  been  said 
by  those  who  knew  Mr.  Brainerd,  that  he  was  too  con- 
scientious;  and  marked  as  great  sins  the  natural  infirmi- 
ties of  his  disposition.     Dr.  Beecher  has  protested  against 

■*■  This  "  reilhssucss"  extended  frrni  the  age  of  six  to  twelve. 


20  LIFE   OF  REV.  THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

g-ivin<r  to  the  world  the  effects  of  d\'spepsia  in  good  men, 
with  its  hypochondriac  famil}^  of  cv'jls. 

Rev.  William  A.  Stearns,  President  of  Amherst  Col- 
lege, a  classmate  of  Mr.  Drainerd's,  says,  in  reply  to  a 
letter  from  him  containing  some  lament  over  his  ))hysical 
and  mental  trials :  "  Of  3'our  two  great  burdens,  the  first 
you  have  in  common  with  us  all ;  and  in  the  endurance  of 
the  second,  you  are  not  alone.  But  it  is  a  comfort  that 
neither  'a  bad  stomach,'  nor  anything  else  bad,  can  enter 
heaven  with  us.  Such  a  state  of  freedom,  as  Dr.  Beeclier 
says,  '  it  Avill  take  a  good  while  to  get  used  to  it  ' " 

As  the  youngest  and  cherished  child  of  a  large  house- 
hold, Thomas  was  allowed  many  indulgences  to  which  the 
older  children  had  been  strangers, — such  as  going  with  his 
father  and  elder  brothers  to  the  neighboring  towns  of 
Lowville,  Boonville,  and  Utica,  when  business  called 
them  there. 

When  he  was  about  two  years  old  his  mother  found 
him  in  a  tub  of  water,  nearly  drowned.  While  playing  in 
the  water,  he  had  lost  his  balance  and  fallen  in.  As  he 
was  "  born  out  of  due  time,'  so  he  claimed  the  privileges 
of  babyhood  be\'ond  the  ordinary  season.  He  distinctly 
remembered  being  "  ifea??ec?,"at  nearly  three  years  of  age  ; 
and  of  being  taken  by  a  sister  twenty-two  years  older  than 
himself,  to  sleep  in  her  room  for  this  object.  Of  his  rebel- 
lion in  the  night,  and  his  indignation  when  offered  a  bis- 
cuit in  lieu  of  his  customary  indulgence,  he  retained  a 
lively  impression.  He  threw  the  biscuit  across  the  room, 
with  all  his  small  strength,  and  saw  it  roll  into  the  fire- 
place, among  the  asparagus  boughs,  which  in  summer  oc- 
cupied the  place  of  the  winter  fire;  upon  which  his  sister 
thought  proper  to  admonish  him  of  the  sinfulness  of  the 
act,  both  in  view  of  the  temper  exhibited  on  the  occasion, 
as  well  as  the  waste  of  throwing  away  "  a  nice  biscuit  for 
which  some  hungry  child  would  be  so  thankful." 


CHILDHOOD.  21 

At  the  age  of  three  and  a  half  years  he  commenced  at- 
tending school, — trudging  cheerfully  through  miles  of  snow 
with  his  brothers  and  sisters.  The  district  school  was  a 
long  distance  from  his  father's  house,  and  was  only  kept 
during  the  winter.  In  a  new  farming  country,  all  the  boys 
were  needed  to  work  on  the  farm  in  summer.  His  school 
days  were  seasons  of  great  enjoyment,  and  he  never  re- 
garded his  lessons  as  a  burden  or  a  drudgery. 

Most  of  the  events  of  his  early  life  here  recorded  were 
gained  from  his  own  lips.  He  was  accustomed  to  amuse 
his  own  children  with  the  rehearsal  of  stories  concerning 
his  childhood,  to  which  they  were  never  weary  of  listen- 
ing; while  the  excitements  of  sheep-shearing  and  of  making 
maple-sugar  in  the  early  spring,  almost  rivaled  in  interest 
the  adventures  of  Robinson  Crusoe,  with  bis  young 
auditors. 

Clearing  away  the  snow  for  the  sugar  works, — building 
the  great  fires  to  boil  the  sap, — and  especially  "  camping 
out"  over  night,  to  watch  both  the  sap  and  the  fire, — fur- 
nished abundant  occasion  for  pleasant  excitement  to  these 
New  England  boys. 

Thomas  was  once  sent  by  his  father  to  find  and  bring  back 
a  ram  that  was  addicted  to  running  away.  After  bringing 
the  animal  home,  he  tied  him  by  the  neck  in  the  back  part 
of  the  barn,  which  was  built  on  a  side-hill,  so  that  while 
the  entrance  was  on  a  level  with  the  ground  the  back  win- 
dows overlooked  a  height  of  ten  or  twelve  feet.  No  sooner 
was  the  ram  left  to  himself  than  he  leaped  from  the  win- 
dow, and  hung  suspended  by  the  neck.  One  of  the  elder 
boys  coming  in  to  dinner  told  his  father  that  the  ram  was 
hanging  from  the  barn  window.  Thomas,  comprehending 
at  once  the  situation,  said,  "  He  knew  the  ram  could  not 
be  dead,  for  he  had  not  hung  there  more  than  an  hour!" 
The  shout  of  laughter  from  the  circle  of  older  boys  with 
which  this  declaration  was  greeted,  greatly  disconcerted 

'6 


22  LIFE    OF  REV    THOMAS  BR  AT  NERD,  D.D. 

the  young-  hangman  ;  but  he  escaped  all  rebuke  from  his 
father  ;  while  from  his  brothers  he  met  the  frequent  in- 
quiry concerning  the  time  necessary  to  kill  a  man  or  beast 
by  hanging. 

While  Thomas  was  still  a  small  boy,  he  became  the  pro- 
prietor of  a  nice  leather-covered  trunk,  in  which  he  was  so 
much  interested  that  he  went  over  to  the  village  several 
times  to  watch  the  progress  of  its  manufacture.  A  good 
trunk,  in  which  to  keep  his  clothes  and  juvenile  treasures, 
was,  at  that  time  to  a  boy  in  the  country,  a  great  posses- 
sion;  and  he  prepared  to  bring  it  home,  when  finished, 
with  magnified  views  of  its  value. 

One  of  his  father's  near  neighbors,  a  Baptist  preacher 
and  farmer  known  as  "  Elder  Clark,"  had  a  fine  new  wheel- 
barrow, and  Thomas  concluded  that  nothing  but  this  wheel- 
barrow would  serve  his  purpose.  He  went  over  to  see  Mr. 
Clark,  whom  he  found  working  in  the  field.  Going  up  to 
him  with  great  confidence,  he  said :  "  Elder  Clark,  will 
you  please  lend  me  your  ^vheelbarrow  to  bring  home  my 
new  trunk  ?" 

Mr.  Clark  leaned  on  his  hoe  a  minute  in  silence,  and 
then  replied:  "Why,  no,  Thomas;  I  think  I  can't  lend 
you  the  wheelbarrow." 

The  refusal  was  so  unexpected,  and  such  a  disappoint- 
ment to  him,  that  for  a  moment  little  Tom  neither  spoke 
nor  moved.  But,  boy  or  man,  he  was  never  the  one  to 
give  up  an  object  upon  which  he  had  set  his  heart. 

"Elder  Clark,"  said  he,  "  doesn't  the  Bible  say,  '  from 
him  that  Avould  borrow  of  thee,  turn  not  thou  away  ?'" 

Mr.  Brainerd  said  he  remembered  throughout  his  life 
the  twinkle  of  the  eye  and  the  twitching  about  the  mouth 
with  which  Mr.  Clark  received  this  quotation  from  the 
small  boy  before  him.  It  produced,  however,  the  desired 
effect ;  for,  after  another  short  pause,  wath  an  effort  at 
gravity,  Mr.  Clark  replied:  "  Yes,  Thomas,  the  Bible  does 


CHILDHOOD.  23 

say  that;  and  I  think  I  must  let  you  have  the  wheelbar- 
vovv  this  time  if  you  will  be  careful  of  it."  He  went  on 
his  way  rejoicing',  as  well  in  the  success  of  his  appeal  as 
in  the  means  of  procuring  his  new  treasure. 

A  brother  nine  years  older  than  Thomas,  who  took  a 
deep  interest  in  his  progress  and  improvement,  says  of 
him  :  "  He  was  a  very  active  boy  and  always  in  a  pleas- 
ant humor.  I  never  knew  him  quarrel  with  his  play- 
mates and  young  friends.  He  was  early  ver}^  fond  of  read- 
ing, and  seldom  sat  down  without  a  book  or  a  slate.  When 
he  was  twelve  years  old  he  had  read  through  Rollin's 
Ancient  History,  Robertson's  America,  Goldsmith's  Greece 
and  Rome,  with  many  other  volumes  of  travels  and  voy 
ages  as  well  as  stories.  He  seemed  never  to  forget  any- 
thing he  read.  He  inherited  from  his  father  one  trait, — 
to  do  with  his  might  whatever  he  undertook  to  do." 

A  great  love  for  declamation  was  one  of  his  earliest  de- 
velopments. While  yet  a  small  boy  he  was  so  enraptured 
by  the  recital  of  Mark  Antony's  Speech  over  the  body  of 
Caesar,  by  a  graduate  of  the  Lowville  Academy,  that  he 
offered  to  give  the  young  orator  "  all  of  his  pennies^^  if  he 
would  repeat  it  again  for  him.  He  was  associated  early 
with  the  debating  clubs  of  that  region,  and  his  enthusiasm 
contributed  much  to  their  success  and  permanence. 

While  Thomas  was  quite  a  lad  he  was  summoned  to 
court  as  a  witness  in  some  case  of  neighborhood  litigation. 
He  gave  his  testimony  with  such  directness,  comprehen- 
siveness, and  evident  truthfulness  that  the  judge,  turning 
to  a  lawyer  by  his  side,  said:  "  That  hoy  loill  make  a 
man." 

lu  the  year  1813  that  new  section  of  country  was 
visited  by  typhoid  fever.  The  population  was  scattered, 
physicians  were  few  and  distant,  and  the  epidemic  became 
very  fatal.  The  people  were  overworked,  especially  the 
women ;  it  was  impossible  to  procure  hired  assistance,  and 


24  LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAIXERD,  D.D. 

labor-saving  appliances  were  as  yet  unknown.  Bcinc^ 
largely  a  grass-growing  region,  every  farmer  went  into 
stock-raising  and  dairy  produce,  which  laid  heavy  burdens 
upon  the  women  of  the  household. 

Seven  members  of  Mr.  Brainerd's  family  were  sick  with 
typhoid  fever  at  the  same  time.  Thomas,  at  nine  years  of 
age,  Avith  the  sister  next  above  him,  then  thirteen,  the  two 
5'onngest  of  the  family,  were  for  a  season  the  only  persons 
able  to  leave  the  house.  All  the  errands  devolved  upon 
these  two  children, — of  going  long  distances  for  physicians 
and  medicines,  and  to  procure  neighbors  to  nurse  the  sick 
and  the  dying.  Thomas  was  sent  alone  on  horseback  to 
the  town  of  Boonville,  several  miles  distant,  for  sugar, 
lea,  lemons,  and  medicines.  Such  were  the  responsibili- 
ties forced  upon  children  at  that  period.  How  many  par- 
ents now  would  consent  to  send  a  child  nine  years  old 
through  a  lone,  dreary  wood's  road  with  a  horse  to  guide 
and  manage,  and,  in  case  of  accident,  no  one  near  to  ren- 
der assistance  ? 

Thomas  executed  his  errands  successfully,  and  remem- 
bered the  merchant  with  lasting  gratitude  who,  after  plac- 
ing his  purchases  in  the  saddle-bags,  gave  him  "  a  lump 
of  Hugar  as  large  as  a  teacup,^^  to  eat  on  the  way  home. 

Four  members  of  his  father's  family  fell  victims  to  this 
fever — a  brother,  two  sisters,  and  his  excellent  mother.  The 
eldest  son  and  daughter  and  a  younger  daughter,  sixteen 
years  of  age,  died  within  a  few  weeks  of  their  mother's 
death,  in  August,  1813.  Another  son  died  two  years 
later,  in  1815,  at  the  age  of  twenty-nine;  and  one  little  girl 
of  ten  was  buried  in  Haddam,  before  the  father's  removal 
to  AVestcrn  New  York.  Two  others  were  married  and 
settled  in  homes  of  their  own,  and  the  large  family  was 
now  reduced  to  five  children,  Avith  the  widowed  father. 
Of  these  five,  two  Mere  over  twenty  years  of  age  and 
drilled  to  self-reliance.     The  vounsest  of  the  twelve  chil- 


CHILDHOOD.  25 

dren  seemed  peculiarly  to  demand  maternal  care.  The 
dying  mother  summoned  to  her  Ijedside  the  few  who  were 
able  to  come,  to  give  them  her  final  farewell.  The  little 
boy  of  nine  was  the  last  to  receive  a  mother's  blessing. 
She  laid  her  hand  upon  his  head,  and,  with  great  tender- 
ness, said :  "  It  is  hard  for  me  to  give  you  up,  my  boy. 
You  need  my  care  more  than  the  others.  I  have  wished 
to  live  on  your  account,  but  it  seems  to  be  the  will  of  God 
that  I  must  die  and  leave  you.  When  I  am  gone,  remem- 
ber how  I  have  taught  you  to  pray  and  read  your  Bible. 
Don't  forget  God  and  He  will  take  care  of  you." 

The  little  boy  could  not  then  understand  the  extent  of 
the  loss  implied  in  the  death  of  a  mother.  He  looked 
on,  partly  in  wonder  and  partly  in  grief,  as  they  laid  her 
in  a  coffin  and  bore  her  away  to  her  burial ;  but  he  learned 
ever  after  to  estimate  fully  the  value  of  a  mother's  undy- 
ing love. 

After  this  season  of  unparalleled  trial  the  oldest  remain- 
ing daughter,  at  the  age  of  twenty-two,  took  charge  of  her 
father's  household,  and  bestowed  a  mother's  love  and  care 
upon  her  little  brother  until  her  own  marriage  and  removal 
to  Ohio.  And  her  brother  recognized  his  obligations  of 
duty  and  gratitude  by  visiting  her  as  often  as  his  profes- 
sional claims  permitted,  at  intervals  of  a  few  years  during 
his  life  She  survived  him  seven  months ;  and,  in  March, 
1867,  the  companionship  of  their  youth  was  renewed  in 
the  upper  city. 


3* 


CHAPTER    II. 

SCHOOL   LIFE — LEAVING    HOME. 

THE  school  life  of  Thomas  Brainerd,  from  the  age  of 
four  until  he  was  seventeen,  was  full  of  interest.  He 
W'as  social,  ambitious,  quick  to  learn,  and  no  study  com- 
mended to  him  was  ever  difficult  or  burdensome.  In  a 
newly  settled  country  educational  advantages  were,  of 
course,  limited  and  unequal.  At  some  seasons  it  was 
difficult  to  procure  suitable  teachers,  and  incompetent  men 
were  occasionally  employed. 

The  New  England  principle,  however,  which  planted 
the  church  and  school-house  beside  the  dwelling,  and 
watched  over  their  interest  with  a  jealous  eye,  character- 
ized the  communit}^  of  New  England  settlers  in  Lewis 
County.  A  vigorous  school  was  kept  up  ;  a  circulating 
library  established,  containing  all  the  popular  histories, 
ancient  and  modern,  of  that  period,  with  the  old  school 
family  of  poets  and  novelists.  Debating  societies  were 
formed  and  sustained  by  the  young  men,  furnishing  the 
means  of  pleasant  excitement  and  safe  recreation.  The 
few  and  slow  additions  of  new  books  to  their  village 
library  led  Thomas  Brainerd,  who  was  always  a  great 
reader,  to  read  again  and  again  such  as  it  contained  ;  and 
he  attributed  his  familiarity  with  historical  facts  through- 
out life  to  his  early  devotion  to  Hume,  Smollett,  Rollin, 
Robertson,  and  Herodotus. 

This  grave  reading  was  relieved  and  enlivened  by  all 
the  poems  and  novels  he  could  get  hold  of     To  the  latest 
(2G) 


SCHOOL  LIFE.  27 

hour  allowable  in  a  strict  IS'ew  Eng-land  household,  the 
boy  would  read  by  the  bright  wood  fire,  affording  better 
light  than  a  dozen  of  the  home-made  tallow  candles, — so 
absorbed  in  his  book  as  to  be  utterly  unconscious  of  what 
was  passing  around  him. 

The  school  was  located  about  two  miles  from  his  father's 
house,  and  the  long  walk  over  the  crisp  snow,  with  the 
companionship  of  the  neighboring  boys  and  girls,  all  car- 
rying their  little  dinner  baskets,  containing  the  "turnover 
pie,"  the  doughnuts  and  cheese  (excelled  in  no  part  of  the 
country),  created  abundant  material  for  boyish  enjoyment. 
The  early  breakfast  at  six  o'clock,  with  the  brisk  walk  of 
two  or  three  miles,  often  so  stimulated  their  young  appe- 
tites that  they  would  agree,  if  they  had  time  before  the 
ringing  of  the  school-bell,  to  eat  their  dinner  before  they 
went  into  the  school-room;  preferring  the  present  indul- 
gence of  a  double  breakfast  to  the  prospective  fast  of  a 
missing  dinner.  They  could,  besides,  often  calculate  upon 
an  apple  or  a  ginger-cake  from  some  one  more  fully  sup- 
plied than  his  wants  demanded.  And  when  the  season 
admitted,  they  would  get  up  short  nutting  or  fishing  ex- 
cursions in  the  interval  of  the  school  recess. 

Scarcely  any  boy's  school  life  passes  Avithout  some 
notable  occasions  of  triumph  or  mortification.  The  general 
studiousness  and  conscientiousness  of  Thomas  Brainerd 
protected  him  from  many  of  these  school-boy  reverses, 
while  yet  his  activity  and  love  of  fun  or  mischief  procured 
him  a  fair  proportion  of  their  risks  and  penalties. 

During  one  winter  the  district  school  was  kept  by  a 
young  man  from  Connecticut,  whose  name  has  since  be- 
come somewhat  notorious, — Levi  Silliman  Ives, — in  after 
years  Episcopal  Bishop  of  South  Carolina,  and  more  re- 
cently marked  for  his  renunciation  of  Protestantism  and 
connection  with  the  Roman  Catholic  Church. 

Mr.  Ives,  as  he  was  then  called,  introduced  some  new 


28  LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

modes  in  the  order  and  exercises  of  the  school,  among 
which  was  a  SN'stem  of  writing  with  parallel  lines  by 
which  to  graduate  the  height  of  the  letters.  Under  his 
administration,  Thomas  perpetrated  the  most  flagrant 
piece  of  mischief  of  his  juvenile  life  A  boy  of  notoriously 
careless  hal)its  attended  the  school,  whose  torn  clothes  and 
hat  subjected  him  to  the  frequent  banter  of  his  schoolmates. 
Toward  the  close  of  the  afternoon  session,  Thomas  ob- 
served this  boy's  hat  under  the  desk ;  and  being  sheltered 
by  some  higher  desks  in  front,  be  commenced  trimming 
the  said  hat  with  a  sharp  penknife,  to  give  it  a  more  uni- 
form appearance,  half  the  rim  being  already  torn  off.  This 
was  at  first  his  whole  design,  to  cut  off  the  rest  of  the  rim 
and  thereby  decidedly  improve  its  appearance.  It  was  a 
gray  felt  hat,  and  the  knife  sung  through  the  texture  with 
such  musical  ease  that  he  lost  sight  of  its  execution,  and 
kept  turning  the  hat  and  cutting  on  until  the  knife  reached 
the  top  of  the  crown,  leaving  only  a  small  round  piece  the 
size  of  a  half  dollar.  He  then  awoke  to  a  consciousness 
of  his  work,  and  carefully  replaced  the  hat  on  the  floor, 
which  settled  down  with  spiral  regularity  to  its  accus- 
tomed form. 

To  avoid  confusion  in  dismissing  school,  Mr.  Ives  re- 
quired of  the  older  boys,  by  turns,  to  "  carry  around  the 
hats"  to  their  respective  owners,  when  each  boy,  with  a 
bow,  deliberately  left  the  room.  When  this  unfortunate 
hat  was  lifted  it  fell  into  a  string  a  yard  long.  "  Wliose 
hat  is  this  V  inquired  the  boy  who  held  it  up  by  the  small 
center  top-piece,  with  such  unrestrained  merriment  in  his 
face  as  encouraged  the  whole  school  to  an  outburst  of 
laughter. 

Mr.  Ives  ordered  the  boys  again  to  their  seats.  He 
then  inquired  who  had  cut  this  hat.  A  fearful  silence  was 
the  only  answer.  Recognizing  the  privilege  of  the  culprit 
not  to  condemn  himself,  the  teacher  ordered  all  the  boys 


SCHOOL   LIFE.  29 

"wlio  owned  penknives  to  hold  up  their  hands,  while  he 
examined  theii"  faces  with  inquisitorial  scrutiny.  He  then 
required  all  who  had  borrowed  knives  to  go  through  the 
same  ordeal ;  no  light  shone  on  the  cut  hat.  The  school 
was  then  dismissed  with  the  intimation  that  other  means 
of  investigation  would  be  adopted. 

Mr.  Brainerd's  father  engaged  Mr.  Ives  to  devote  one 
hour  in  the  evening  to  giving  his  daughters  lessons  in 
writing  at  their  own  house.  On  this  memorable  after- 
noon Thomas  went  home  alone,  musing  on  the  conse- 
quences of  his  thoughtlessness.  When  he  entered  the 
house  he  found  Mr.  Ives  there  before  him,  relating  to  his 
sisters  the  story  of  the  hat,  and  telling  them  how  he  would 
punish  that  boy  when  he  discovered  him.  This  threat 
made  such  an  impression  upon  Thomas  that  he  never  to  a 
living  soul  confessed  himself  the  author  of  the  mischief 
until  after  he  was  eighteen  years  of  age.  The  successful 
concealment  of  the  act  magnified  its  criminality,  and  led 
Tom  to  frequent  confessions  of  his  "  secret  sin"  in  his 
nightly  praj^ers.  He  was  about  ten  years  old  at  this  time, 
and  not  until  long  after  was  he  able  to  view  the  affair  in 
its  true  light  as  an  act  of  mere  boyish  mischief. 

His  "  confessions"  did  not  end  in  his  own  closet.  "When 
he  had  reached  the  age  of  forty-five,  "  Bishojj^'  Ives  visited 
some  friends  in  Philadelphia  with  whom  Mr.  Brainerd  was 
acquainted.  He  related  this  story  to  them,  requesting  them 
to  tell  the  bishop  that  "he  was  the  hoy  who  cut  the  hatV 
The  bishop  was  now  "  endowed  with  power"  to  give  him 
"  absolution." 

The  town  of  Leyden  was  favored  with  the  ministry  of 
the  Rev.  Reuel  Kiml)all,  a  New  England  man,  with  the 
comprehensive  views  and  large  heart  of  those  earnest 
pioneer  Christian  teachers  who  have  baptized  the  land 
with  the  spirit  of  true  gospel  light  and  liljerty. 

Mr,  Kimball  had  a  large  family,  with  whom  Mr.  Brai- 


30  TTFE   OF  REV.  THOMAS  BRAFXERD,  D.D. 

nerd's  familr  \rere  intimate.  One  of  the  sons.  Cotton 
Mather  Kimball,  was  born  on  the  same  day  with  Thomas 
Brainerd,  attended  the  same  school,  and  they  were  of 
eonrse  associated  in  the  interests  of  their  boyhood. 

Intercotirse  with  these  neighbors  constituted  the  great 
charm  of  social  enjoyment  during  the  youth  of  Thomas 
Brainerd,  and  the  youngest  daughter  of  the  clergyman 
soon  became  the  cynosure  of  all  his  hopes  and  fancies 
Regarded  as  an  unattainable  blessing  for  many  years,  the 
attachment  acted  as  an  incentive  to  all  his  efforts,  and  be- 
came the  motive  of  his  highest  ambition.  A  school-boy 
love,  hidden  in  his  heart  until  developed  to  a  growth  be- 
yond his  power  of  concealment,  was  influencing  every 
faculty  of  his  being. 

His  final  success,  where  for  years  he  dared  not  hope  for 
success,  with  the  blighting  of  those  hopes  by  the  early 
death  of  their  object,  belong  to  a  later  period  than  the 
present,  and  will  be  referred  to  again. 

When  about  the  age  of  fourteen.  Thomas  was  walking 
with  young  Reuel  Kimball,  two  years  his  senior,  when 
their  conversation  turned  upon  preaching.  In  the  brag- 
ging style  natural  to  boys  of  that  age,  Thomas  said  to 
his  firiend :  "  I  can  preach  nearly  as  well  as  your  father, 
now !"  Young  Kimball  questioned  his  ability,  and  chal- 
lenged him  to  the  proof. 

Springing  upon  a  stump,  in  which  that  newly  cleared 
land  abounded,  Thomas  rehearsed  Mr.  Kimball's  sermon 
of  the  previous  Sabbath,  giving  the  iutroduction,  the  title, 
the  divisions,  the  arguments,  the  illustrations,  the  applica- 
tion, and  conclusion,  in  what  seemed  to  his  astonished 
auditor  the  very  words,  without  variation,  in  which  he 
heard  it  preached  the  day  before.  Although  greatly  sur- 
prised by  this  exhibition,  young  Kimball  would  not  yield 
the  victory.  He  added :  "  Well,  you  can't  pray  as  well 
anyhow!^'  Thomas  replied,  in  a  lower  voice,  "  I  haven't 
tried  tfiat!" 


SCaOQL   LIFE.  31 

This  incident  was  related  to  the  writer  by  Mr.  Reuel 
Kimljall  himself,  about  twelve  years  ago,  when  he  was  a 
gray-haired  man  of  fifty.  The  occasional  visits  to  his 
native  town  were  cheered  by  such  reminiscences  of  their 
youth,  between  Reuel  Kimball  and  Thomas  Brainerd, 
during  their  lifetime ;  and  both  were  called  to  heaven 
within  a  few  months  of  the  same  period. 

The  following  sketch  is  furnished  by  E.  P.  Brainerd, 
Esq.,  of  Ravenna,  Ohio,  for  twelve  years  Treasurer  of  the 
Atlantic  and  Great  Western  Railroad  Company. 

"Jesse  Brainerd,  father  of  the  late  Rev.  Thomas  Brai- 
nerd, and  my  father,  owned  and  occupied  adjoining  farms, 
in  Leyden,  Lewis  County,  New  York.  They  were  Dear 
neighbors,  so  that  from  infancy  till  about  twelve  years  of 
age  we  were  accustomed  to  seeing  Thomas  almost  daily. 
He  Avas  some  ten  years  my  senior,  and  a  frequent  visitor 
at  my  father's  house.  My  mother  was  a  zealous  Baptist, 
and  the  repeated  discussions  between  her  and  young 
Thomas,  on  religious  subjects,  are  remembered  with  more 
than  ordinary  vividness.  Although  too  young  to  fully 
understand  them,  their  earnestness  on  these  occasions  I 
shall  never  forget.  His  dignified  bearing  repelled  rather 
than  attracted  me.  Our  childish  fear  of  him  was  equaled 
only  by  that  for  the  ministers  who  were  accustomed  to 
visit  our  house.  Early  impressions,  however,  like  those 
of  later  years,  are  frequently  found  to  be  erroneous.  When 
quite  a  lad,  I  accompanied  my  parents,  on  a  summer's 
evening,  to  one  of  the  neighbors,  where  a  large  party  were 
assembled.  Shortly  after  our  arrival,  Thomas  Brainerd 
happened  in,  direct  from  the  field.  The  lady  of  the  house 
said  to  him  (aside)  :  '  We  are  to  have  a  wedding  here  to- 
night and  wish  you  to  remain.'  'Impossible,'  said  he, 
'  I  am  right  from  the  plow.'  After  a  moment's  reflection, 
he  added  :    '  There  is  not  time  for  me  to  go  home  and 


32  LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAIXERD,  D.D. 

change  my  dress.  If  you  think  the  company  will  excuse 
my  appearance  I  will  sta}'",  as  I  never  saw  a  couple  mar- 
ried.''*' He  remained,  a  close  observer  of  all  the  cere- 
monies ;  at  the  conclusion  of  which,  he  entered  into  the 
plays  and  amusements  peculiar  to  such  occasions  in  those 
days,  with  a  relish  which  made  him  the  '  star^  of  the 
evening.  As  he  left  we  heard  him  remark,  '  If  this  is  the 
usual  way  of  conducting  weddings  I  shall  make  an  effort 
to  attend  them  all  hereafter,  for  I  have  enjoyed  this 
hugely.'  It  was  then  we  first  learned  he  had  a  relish  for 
harmless  amusement,  as  well  as  a  strong  love  for  social 
enjoyment.  Subsequently,  we  became  much  attached  to 
hiui,  on  account  of  his  genial  nature  and  readiness  always 
to  assist  and  encourage  his  associates,  of  whatever  age  or 
condition,  in  their  laudable  undertakings.  He  seemed  to 
lead  rather  than  follow  the  opinions  of  his  fellows.  His 
advice  was  sought,  and  he  was  often  umpire  and  adjudi- 
cator of  their  differences.  He  was  frank,  apparently  know- 
ing no  necessity  for  concealment,  as  he  could  accomplish 
by  directness  and  force  Avhat  many  by  tact  and  artifice 
aim  to  do  and  fail.  He  was  cautious  in  spirit,  but  not 
artful  or  cunning.  He  seems  to  have  been  an  early 
student  of  natural  theology.  Fond  of  discussion,  advoca- 
ting spiritual  rather  than  sectarian  religion,  he  contended 
that  true  religion  consisted  in  right  life,  rather  than  in 
ordinances;  at  least  such  was  his  position  with  my  mother. 
Physically,  he  was  compact  and  strong,  though  not  large; 
he  possessed  a  kind  of  toughness  capable  of  great  endur- 
ance. He  was  passing  au  unfinished  well  on  one  occasion, 
with  several  of  his  associates,  and  remarked  that  he  could 
descend  and  come  out  on  the  chain  suspended  from  the 
windlass.  This  being  questioned  by  the  party,  he  imme- 
diately accomplished  the  feat.     Another  of  the  party,  not 

*  This  confession,  from   a  man  who   in  later  life  married  over  eight 
huurhcd  couples,  is  noteworthy. 


LEAVING  HOME.  33 

wishing  to  be  outdone,  went  down  on  the  cliain,  and,  when 
near  the  top  in  ascending,  lost  his  hokl,  fell,  caught  on  the 
hook,  which  entered  his  body  in  a  shocking  manner.  To 
the  presence  of  mind  and  good  judgment  of  Thomas  Brai- 
nerd,  he  was  indebted  for  his  life.  With  recollections  re- 
plete with  incidents  illustrating  the  prominent  traits  of 
his  character,  I  have  only  alluded  in  this  brief  sketch  to 
the  youthful  working  of  an  intellect  destined  to  become  pre- 
eminent for  good  in  subsequent  life.  The  same  generosity 
of  soul,  earnest  love  of  justice  and  right,,  which  were  so 
prominent  in  after-years,  characterized  the  youth  of  Thomas 
Brainerd. 

"Ravenna,  Ohio,  Aug.  18th,  1S68." 

At  fourteen  years  of  age,  Thomas  Brainerd  became  a 
member  of  the  Lowville  Academy,  then  considered  one  of 
the  best  educational  institutions  in  Northern  New  York. 
Here  he  devoted  himself  to  the  study  of  the  languages, 
which  he  pursued  for  a  number  of  years,  continuing  his 
classical  studies  with  Oliver  C.  Grosvenor,  at  Rome,  while 
prosecuting  the  study  of  law. 

Declining  his  father's  proposition  to  take  charge  of  the 
farm,  he  deliberately  resolved  upon  supporting  himself 
and  carrying  out  his  schemes  of  professional  life. 

The  first  step  in  this  course  was  to  take  charge  of  the 
school  in  a  neighboring  town.  This  would  give  him  time 
to  mature  his  plans,  and  furnish  him  with  a  little  money 
for  his  immediate  necessities.  He  left  his  home  at  the 
age  of  seventeen,  with  a  firm  purpose  to  cut  his  way  to 
competence,  respectability,  and  usefulness.  On  the  even- 
ing before  his  departure,  he  went  alone  to  a  favorite  part  of 
his  father's  farm,  where  the  extended  landscape  overlooked 
the  Black  River,  and  the  unbroken,  mysterious,  silent  gloom 
of  the  Adirondack  forest  beyond,  as  yet  unexplored  by 
tourist  or  visitor,  and,  placing  his  back  against  a  tree,  he 

4 


34    LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAIXERD,  D.D. 

indulged  in  one  of  those  farewell  reveries  wliieh  might  be 
permitted  to  a  young  man  in  these  circumstanees.  Boy 
and  child  enough  still  to  cling  to  the  shelter  and  provis- 
ions of  home  with  yearning  tenderness,  realizing  that  he 
was  going  out  to  the  untried  world  with  only 

"  Providence  his  guide," 

he  might  well  look  up  to  the  old  trees  and  ask  if  the  new 
world  before  him  would,  amid  its  storms,  furnish  him 
friends  like  these.  After  watching  the  sun  sink  below  the 
horizon,  he  turned  and  cut  the  initials  of  hi&  name,  his 
age,  the  day  of  the  month  and  year  in  the  bark  of  the  tree 
against  which  he  had  been  leaning,  then  said  to  himself, 
"  Where  and  what  shall  I  be  seventeen  years  hence  ?" 

It  so  happened  that  in  the  summer  of  1838,  when  Mr. 
Brainerd  was  thirty-four,  he  visited  his  home  again.  Two 
brothers  alone  remained  in  that  section  of  the  country. 
His  father  was  dead ;  the  farm  sold,  and  the  old  home- 
stead left  desolate.  But  he  sought  the  tree  again — now 
doubled  in  size — and  readily  deciphered  the  letters  and 
date  engraved  there  seventeen  years  before.  Again  he 
placed  his  back  against  the  tree,  and  said,  "Here  I  am 
again  at  twice  seventeen,  'a  sadder  and  a  wiser  man;'  a 
life  experience  between  these  dates  ;  the  weight  of  a  large 
metropolitan  church  upon  my  shoulders,  and  the  responsi- 
bility upon  my  soul  of  guiding  my  fellow-men  to  a  higher 
and  purer  life." 

Mr.  Brainerd  was  not  much  given  to  sentiraentalisra,  espe- 
cially of  the  sort  which  unnerved  him.  Such  indulgences, 
if  taken  at  all,  were  taken  in  homoeopathic  doses,  on  the 
wing,  as  he  rode  and  worked.  He  had  no  patience  With 
young  men  who  neutralized  their  energies  and  smothered 
their  manhood  in  a  sickly  sentimentalism.  His  charge  to 
them  was  to  be  up  and  doing — 

'•  With  a  heart  for  any  fate," 

and  in  this  course  he  was  ever  readv  to  lead  the  wav. 


LEAVING   HOME.  35 

Seventeen  years  later,  in  1855,  he  had  another  oppor- 
tunity of  making  a  pilgrimage  to  his  tree.  It  was  proba- 
bly of  set  purpose  this  time,  for  he  continued  through  life 
to  visit  the  home  and  friends  of  his  childhood  every  few 
years.  One  brother  had  died  and  the  other  removed  to 
Ohio  since  his  last  visit.  His  father's  house  had  fallen  to 
decay ;  while  the  excavation  of  the  cellar  and  the  well 
alone  marked  the  spot  of  his  birth.  And  of  the  old  man- 
sion— 

"  All  its  joys  and  pains, 
That  gloomy  cellar  now  alone  remains." 


CHAPTER    III. 

TEACHING — READING    LAW. 

THE  first  school  of  which  Thomas  Brainerd  took  charge 
was  in  the  town  of  Boonvilie.  Here,  as  elsewhere, 
boys  of  his  own  age,  seventeen  and  upwards,  attended  his 
school.  He  had  no  difficulty  in  maintaining  order  and 
discipline,  nor  in  stimulating  his  pupils  to  a  healthful 
emulation. 

It  was  the  custom  of  that  period  for  the  teacher  to 
"  hoard  roiind,"  in  the  respective  families  of  his  pupils  ; 
each  family  thus  contributing  to  his  board,  secured  there- 
by the  tuition  of  one  or  more  children.  This  experience 
developed  the  grace  of  patience,  and  afforded  many  humor- 
ous exhibitions  of  character.  But  no  one  ever  heard  a 
complaint  from  Thomas  Brainerd,  however  rough  his 
fare  or  uncomfortable  his  accommodations.  Straitened 
quarters  and  "  short  commons"  were  soon  exchanged  in 
the  rotation  of  service,  for  the  most  ample  supplies  and 
congenial  associates.  Four  years  of  district  school  teach- 
ing was  a  grand  school  of  progress  in  the  study  of  human 
nature,  yielded  great  variety  of  incident,  and  laid  the 
foundation  of  many  permanent  and  valuable  friendships. 

His  second  station  of  school  operations  was  in  the  town 
of  Lee.  Here  Thomas  Brainerd  had  the  honor  of  being 
the  successor  to  Albert  Barnes,  who,  as  he  preceded  him 
in  the  ministry  by  a  few  years,  also  preceded  him  in  some 
of  the  diversified  experiences  of  the  initiatory  course. 

By  the  kindness  of  the  Hon.  Anson  S.  Miller,  of  Hlinois, 
(3G) 


TEACHING.  St 

we  have  been  furnished  with  the  following  letter  referring 
to  this  period : 

"RocKFOUD,  111.,  March  26th,  1868. 

*  *  *  "  The  late  Rev.  Dr.  Thomas  Brainerd 
kept  school  in  my  native  town,  Lee,  New  York,  more 
than  forty  years  ago.  My  first  recollection  of  Dr.  Brai- 
nerd, when  a  youthful  teacher  in  Lee,  reaches  back  to  the 
Avinter  of  1823-4,  when  he  taught  the  school  in  the  Button 
District,  in  Lee,  where  Albert  Barnes  had  previously 
taught.  My  father  resided  in  an  adjoining  district.  In 
this  school  Mr.  Brainerd,  though  a  mere  youth,  achieved 
a  perfect  success.  He  kept  a  model  school,  and  his  pupils 
both  feared  and  loved  him.  Though  familiar  with  his 
pupils  in  their  plays  out  of  doors,  he  preserved  his  dig- 
nity as  master  in  the  school-house.  So  good  was  his  repu- 
tation as  a  teacher  that  the  Trustees  of  an  adjoining  district, 
Lee  Centre,  with  a  larger  school,  secured  his  services  at 
an  early  day  for  the  next  winter,  1824-5.  In  this  district 
he  made  his  home  with  my  uncle,  the  late  James  Young, 
Esq.,  a  prominent  citizen  and  public  man  of  Lee  My 
Uncle  Young  and  his  brother  Alvan  were  great  readers. 
The  town  library  was  kept  at  their  house  ;  and  Mr.  Brai- 
nerd, when  at  uncle's,  enjoyed  himself  with  congenial 
spirits.  They  all  wondered  how  he  could  read  so  rapidly 
and  remember  so  well.  Occasionally,  when  visiting  my 
cousins,  the  sons  of  Uncle  Young,  1  attended  Mr.  Brai- 
nerd's  school  with  them.  It  was  a  large  school  and  not 
the  easiest  to  govern ;  but  he  gave  it  the  regularity  of  a 
clock.  He  kept  a  live  school  because  he  was  a  live  teacher. 
He  had  a  wonderful  gift  for  animating  his  pupils,  and  in- 
spiring them  to  emulate  excellence;  and  of  their  social 
circle  out  of  school,  he  was  the  center  and  the  soul. 

"  Subsequently,  Mr.  Brainerd  taught  school  near  Mr. 
Talcott's,  in  Rome  ;  and  was  there,  as  in  the  schools  in 
Lee,  exceedinglv  popular. 

4* 


38  LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

"  I  knew  Mr.  Brainerd  at  a  later  period,  when  he  had 
commenced  studying  a  profession.  Previous  to  entering 
upon  theology,  he  gave  some  attention  to  the  law.  He 
was  regarded  as  a  young  man  of  distinguished  promise. 
His  intellectual  powers  were  at  once  brilliant  and  solid, 
and  he  united  great  logical  acumen  with  rare  aptness  and 
beauty  of  expression.  For  happy  and  graceful  conversa- 
tional gifts  and  fluency  of  language,  and  ready  wit  and 
sharpness  of  reply  when  speaking  in  debate,  he  could 
scarcely  have  a  superior.  Add  to  this  his  purity  of  heart 
and  manly  frankness  and  integrity,  and  you  can  have  some 
idea  of  what  Thomas  Brainerd  was  before  he  achieved  a 
national  fame.  "  Anson  S.  Miller." 

I  inclose  a  letter  from  David  S.  Young,  Esq.,  who  was 
a  pu[)il  of  Mr.  Brainerd  : 

"Lee  Centre,  March  4th,  1868. 

*         *         *  *   "  Mr.  Brainerd  taught  school  in 

the  Button  District,  during  the  winter  of  1823-4,  when  he 
was  between  eighteen  and  twenty  years  old.  Having  a 
lively,  social  turn  of  mind,  he  readily  introduced  himself 
into  the  society  of  the  young.         *         *         *         * 

"On  one  or  two  occasions,  at  noon-time,  \\q  preached, 
i.e.  he  mounted  the  table  for  a  pulpit,  and  would  speak 
to  the  scholars,  calling  it  preaching.  He  said  his  father 
told  him  he  must  be  a  minister;  but  he  feared  he  should 
be  like  a  fifth  calf,  having  no  certainty  that  he  would  get 
much  support  or  milk  from  the  old  cow.  He  taught  our 
school  the  next  winter,  in  1824-5.  I  remember  him  very 
well  as  a  teacher.  He  made  my  father's  house  his  home 
a  considerable  portion  of  the  time,  especially  over  Sun- 
days. It  gave  me  a  favorable  opportunity  to  observe  his 
habits.  He  was  social  and  cheerful,  full  of  anecdotes,  and 
loved  to  talk.  He  was  a  great  reader.  Whatever  book 
he  selected  from  the  library  he  devoured  its  contents  amid 


TEACHING.  39 

the  din  and  the  'confusion  of  tongues'  of  the  different 
members  of  the  family  that  might  be  talking  at  the  time. 
No  noise  or  conversation  seemed  to  disturb  him  in  read- 
ing, so  intent  was  he  on  the  subject-matter  of  the  author. 
But  still  he  seemed  to  peruse  a  book  very  carelessly;  turn- 
ing over  its  leaves  leisurely  ;  glancing  carelessly  at  its 
pages;  occasionally  pausing  to  join  in  a  laugh,  or  the  con- 
versation or  talk,  or  to  suggest  an  argument  on  one  or  the 
other  side  of  the  question  under  discussion  ;  and  then  turn- 
ing again  to  his  book.  Uncle  Alvan  was  living  at  father's 
at  this  time,  and  Mr.  Brainerd  and  uncle  were  great 
friends.  Mr.  Brainerd  seemed  to  relish  novel-reading, — 
such  works  as  'The  Children  of  the  Abbey,'  'Scottish 
Chiefs,'  'The  Three  Spaniards,'  'Peep  at  the  Pilgrims,' 
'  Thinks-I-to-Myself,'  etc.,  etc.  Uncle  had  read  all  these  ; 
and  to  test  Mr.  Brainerd,  after  he  had  closed  some  book, 
reading  in  the  indifferent  manner  I  have  stated,  would 
question  him  on  the  general  plan  or  plot  of  the  author  ; 
but  very  soon  it  would  be  apparent  that  Mr  Brainerd  was 
far  more  correct  in  his  statement  of  facts,  anecdotes,  or 
history,  than  uncle  was  ;  who  perhaps  had  occupied  six 
times  the  length  of  time  in  perusing  the  book  which  Mr. 
Brainerd  had  occupied. 

"After  he  settled  in  Philadelphia,  for  many  years  he 
made  frequent  visits  to  see  his  brother  and  other  relatives, 
in  Lewis  County,  and  at  such  times  he  usually  visited  his 
nephew,  who  resided  in  Lee. 

"  We  not  unfrequently  got  one  or  two  sermons  from 
him;  but  most  generally  he  excused  himself  from  preach- 
ing, on  the  ground  that  his  labors  at  Philadelphia  were 
arduous,  and  coming  to  the  country  he  had  relaxed  his 
bow  and  had  paused  to  rest;  and  for  one  or  two  discourses 
he  could  not  '  gird  himself  to  the  work. 

"About  the  last  time  Dr.  Brainerd  visited  his  brother  I 
happened  to  be  at  Delta,  to  hear  Mr.  Parmilee,  of  Western- 


40    LIFE   OF  REV.  THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

ville.  Dr.  Brainerd  had  come  to  hear  Mr.  Parmilee,  and 
at  the  close  of  his  discourse  Mr.  Parmilee  introduced  Dr. 
Brainerd  to  his  audience. 

"  The  doctor  commenced  by  saying  that  all  present 
were  strangers  to  him  ;  that  he  recognized  but  one  or  two 
faces  that  he  had  ever  seen  before ;  but,  on  all  occasions,  he 
never  stopped  to  inquire  if  there  were  any  sinners  present 
that  wanted  or  needed  salvation.  He  always  assumed  the 
fact  that  all  present  were  sinners,  and  that  every  soul 
needed  salvation  ;  and  in  the  spirit  of  the  Master,  I  go 
forth,  said  he,  like  Paul,  to  proclaim  it  '  a  faithful  saying 
and  worthy  of  all  acceptation,  that  Jesus  Christ  came  into 
the  world  to  save  sinners.'  He  seemed  always  ready  for 
the  occasion;  and  his  discourse  had  a  telling  eifect  on  his 
hearers." 

Extract  of  a  letter  from  Mr.  Cotton  Mather  Kimball*  to 
his  sister-in-law,  Mrs.  Reuel  Kimball,  dated 

"  Kalamazoo,  Mich.,  Feb.  20th,  ISC?. 

"  Thomas  Brainerd  was  a  great  reader  and  a  good 
scholar.  I  attended  a  debating  school  one  or  two  winters 
on  the  East  Road,  where  he  attended.  As  a  debater  he 
had  no  equal.  When  he  was  sixteen  or  seventeen  years 
old  he  was. a  match  for  any  of  the  young  men,  and  some 
thought  themselves  quite  smart. 

"  The  day  that  we  were  twenty-one  years  old  we  spent 
together.  We  went  down  to  Brother  Reuel's,  to  Aman- 
da's, and  then  up  to  father's.  We  had  a  good  time.  I 
think  I  did  not  see  him  again  until  four  years  ago,  when  I 
called  on  him  in  Philadelphia.         ***** 


*  Mr.  C.  M.  Kimball  and  Thomas  Brainerd  were  born  on  the  same  day, 
June  17th,  1804;  hence  the  reason  of  spending  their  twenty-first  birtliduy 
together. 


READING  LAW.  41 

"  Sister  Huldah's  death    was  no  doubt  the  cause  of  a 
great  change  in  his  future  life." 


From  Lee  Mr.  Brainerd  went  to  Rome,  and  commenced 
reading  law ;  first  with  Alanson  Burnet,  Esq.,  and  after- 
wards with  Hon.  Henry  A.  Foster  and  Hon.  Chester 
Hayden.  At  the  same  time  he  continued  his  classical 
studies  with  Mr.  Oliver  C.  Grosvenor,  of  Rome,  aiding 
him  in  his  school,  meanwhile,  as  an  assistant  teacher. 
Heretofore  he  had  been  located  at  convenient  visiting  dis- 
tances from  his  early  home ;  and  he  returned  at  frequent 
intervals,  to  spend  the  Sabbath,  or  to  join  the  remaining 
family  group  at  "  Thanksgiving."  A  strong  attraction 
drew  him  to  Leyden  as  often  as  circumstances  permitted. 
He  kept  watch  over  his  heart's  treasure  there  ;  and  his 
accumulated  offerings  of  mind  and  soul  laid  on  this  altar, 
were  appreciated  and  finally  accepted.  He  became  en- 
gaged to  Huldah  Kimball  at  twenty-two  years  of  age,  and 
returned  to  Rome  in  the  prospective  possession  of  all  that 
he  held  most  dear  in  life. 

Little  of  note  marked  the  two  years  in  which  Mr.  Brai- 
nerd studied  law  at  Rome.  Of  his  social  life  a  few  inci- 
dents have  been  preserved,  partly  by  his  own  narrations, 
and  partly  by  those  of  his  friends. 

On  public  occasions,  such  as  .the  "  Fourth  of  July," 
"Training  Days,"  and  "Election,"  the  popular  demand 
for  amusement  was  supplied  by  out-of-door  sports  and  en- 
tertainments. At  one  of  these  seasons  a  party  of  stran- 
gers furnished  a  gambling-table,  with  cards,  lights,  and 
brandy,  in  a  grove  within  the  limits  of  the  quiet  village  of 
Rome.  While  this  open  defiance  of  public  sentiment  was 
abundantly  censured,  no  effort  was  made  to  suppress  the 
evil.  Thomas  Brainerd  and  three  associates  resolved  to 
"  abate  the  nuisance,"  in  their  own  time  and  mode.    Under 


42    LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

pretence  of  looking  for  something  he  had  purposely 
dropped,  one  of  their  number  contrived  to  fasten  the  end  of 
a  long  rope  around  one  leg  of  the  table,  while  the  others, 
concealed  among  the  trees  in  the  dusk  of  the  evening,  held 
the  other  end.  At  a  given  signal,  the  four  young  men 
started  off  at  full  speed  ;  the  table  jumped  two  yards  at  a 
bound ;  lights,  bottles,  cards,  dice,  and  money  flew  in 
every  direction,  together  with  the  men  who  surrounded 
the  table.  The  sudden  darkness,  the  surprise  and  bewil- 
derment which  followed,  gave  the  advantage  of  time  to 
the  actors  in  this  little  drama;  and,  seeing  the  discomfit- 
ure complete,  they  dropped  the  rope  among  the  trees  and 
came  round  from  an  opposite  quarter  to  mingle  with  the 
crowd  and  inquire  with  innocent  wonderment  into  the 
occasion  of  the  excitement. 

When  listening  to  reports  of  "table-turning"  and  "spir- 
itual manifestations,"  in  after-years,  concerning  which  Mr. 
Brainerd  was  entirely  skeptical,  he  would  say  that  he  had 
witnessed  one  "  table-turning^'  that  was  genuine ;  and  then 
relate  this  adventure  of  upsetting  the  gambling-table,  al- 
though forced  to  acknowledge  that  his  first  practice  of  law 
was  by  a  very  summary  and  extra-judicial  process. 

For  a  short  time  Mr.  Brainerd  boarded  at  the  public 
hotel,  and  his  social  tendencies  drew  him  into  a  circle  of 
young  men  whose  prolonged  influence  would  have  been 
most  perilous  to  his  moral  principles.  Invited  to  their 
rooms  two  or  three  evenings,  he  found  they  not  only 
drank  hard  but  gambled  deeply ;  while  mirth  and  good- 
fellowship  made  their  society  attractive. 

On  one  of  these  evenings,  the  door  of  the  room  was 
opened  by  a  young  man  with  whom  Mr.  Brainerd  was 
but  slightly  acquainted,  who  said,  "  Brainerd,  I  want  to 
speak  with  you  a  minute."  He  stepped  into  the  hall, 
when  the  young  man  said  to  him,  "  Those  fellows  are  go- 
ing to  ruin  as  fast  as  possible  ;  they  will  drink  themselves 


READING  LAW.  43 

dead  in  a  few  years,  but  you  were  horn  for  a  better  des- 
tiny. The  sooner  you  get  to  your  bed  the  better  for 
you." 

Mr.  Brainerd  felt  the  full  force  of  this  timely  warning. 
His  conscience  had  already  been  telling  him  the  same 
truths.  He  went  directly  to  his  room,  without  returning 
to  bid  his  dangerous  companions  "good-night;"  and  he 
always  regarded  this  young  man  as  a  true  friend  and  bene- 
factor. 

In  1825,  the  Rev.  Charles  G.  Finney  preached  in 
Rome,  and  a  religious  interest  of  marked  character  at- 
tended his  labors. 

Rev.  Albert  Barnes  says  of  him:  "Mr.  Finney  had 
himself  been  a  lawyer,  and  would  have  been  distinguished 
as  a  lawyer  if  he  had  continued  to  pursue  that  profession. 
Few  men  in  our  country  have  been  as  well  fitted  to  act  on 
the  higher  order  of  minds,  or  to  bring  men,  proud  in  their 
philosophy  or  their  own  righteousness,  to  the  foot  of  the 
cross.  As  the  result  of  this  great  revival  of  religion,  more 
than  one  hundred  and  eighty  persons  were  added  to  the 
church  on  one  occasion.  Among  these  were  nearly  all  the 
merchants  of  the  place,  and  all  the  lawyers.  Since  the  fall 
of  man  was  such  a  thing  ever  known  before,  that  all  the 
lawyers  in  any  place  were  converted  to  the  faith  of  the 
Saviour  ?" 

As  in  the  days  of  Job,  when  "the  sons  of  God  came 
together,  Satan  came  also  among  them  ;"  so  it  has  ever 
been  to  the  present  time.  When  the  pulse  of  religious 
feeling  rose  highest,  under  the  preaching  of  Mr.  Finney, 
a  Universalist  preacher  came  to  Rome  and  commenced  a 
series  of  opposition  meetings.  He  was  a  popular  speaker 
and  attracted  many  hearers.  After  repeated  solicitation 
from  an  acquaintance,  Mr.  Brainerd  went  one  evening  to 
hear  him.  During  the  service  he  occupied  himself  in 
scanning   the    audience.      It  seemed   to   him  that  everv 


44    LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

drunkard,  gambler,  and  profligate  in  the  place  was  there. 
After  the  service,  Mr.  Brainerd's  companion  eagerly  in- 
quired how  he  liked  the  preacher.  "  If  that  crowd  is 
going  to  heaven,"  replied  Mr.  Bralnerd,  "  I  don't  want  to 
go ;  I  have  been  used  to  better  society  here  !" 

Mr.  Brainerd  soon  after  became  an  interested  listener 
to  Mr.  Finney's  appeals  himself;  and  was  one  among  that 
"great  cloud  of  witnesses"  who  consecrated  themselves 
to  the  service  of  God  at  that  time.  He  united  with  the 
church  in  Rome,  of  which  the  Rev.  Moses  Gillett  was 
j)astor,  in  1825.* 

Mr.  Brainerd's  mind  was  naturally  skeptical  ;  and  not 
without  a  severe  mental  conflict  did  he  yield  his  life  to  the 
principles  of  Christianity.  But  a  cloud  was  gathering  in 
his  horizon,  charged  with  influences  to  affect  the  whole 
atmosphere  of  his  future  life,  and  turn  his  pursuits  into 
new  channels.  In  little  more  than  a  year  from  this  time, 
Mr.  Brainerd  was  hastily  summoned  to  Leyden  to  attend 
the  burial  of  his  heart's  idol.  A  severe  attack  of  illness 
from  a  sudden  cold  resulted  fatally,  before  the  friends  of 
Miss  Kimball  apprehended  any  danger.  No  telegraph 
carried  lightning  messages  in  that  day ;  and  the  first  in- 
timation of  danger  was  the  arrival  of  a  friend  with  the  ap- 
palling intelligence  that  the  cherished  object  of  his  early 
hopes  was  dead. 

This  event  occurred  in  September,  1827.  When  Thomas 
Brainerd  returned  to  Rome  life  seemed  bereft  of  all  its 
beauty  and  value.  He  was  now^  readily  disposed  to  listen 
to  the  persuasions  of  his  friends  in  their  endeavors  to  turn 
his  attention  to  the  ministry. 

Among  Mr.  Brainerd's  intimate  friends  in  Rome  was 

"•■■'  A  fitting  tribute  to  the  fidelity  of  Mr.  Gillett  was  inscribed  on  his 
monument,  in  these  words:  "He  was  a  good  man  and  full  of  the  Holy 
Ghost  and  of  faith  ;  and  much  people  was  added  unto  the  Lord."  He 
died  in  18.37,  after  a  pastorate  of  thirty  years. 


READING   LAW.  45 

Mr.  Talcott's  family,  with  whom  he  continued  to  hold 
pleasant  intercourse  through  life.  One  of  the  sons  united 
with  the  church  at  the  same  time  with  Mr.  Brainerd,  and 
a  close  correspondence  for  many  years  cemented  their 
friendship.  While  on  a  business  visit  to  Leyden,  a  short 
time  before  Miss  Kimball's  death,  Mr.  Wait  Talcott  wrote 
to  Mr.  Brainerd,  July  16th,  182T  : 

"I  called  on  Miss  Kijiiball,  as  you  requested,  and  de- 
livered your  package.  If  Miss  K.'s  mental  qualifications 
correspond  with  her  personal  attractions,  of  which  I  have 
not  a  doubt,  she  is  every  way  worthy  to  be  the  object  of 
3'our  warmest  earthly  affections.  I  congratulate  you  on 
your  success  in  finding  one  who  is  all  that  your  heart  could 

\v  isii  ^  ^  ^  '^  '^  '^ 

The  charm  which  invested  this  sweet  northern  flower 
was  never  dispelled  by  all  that  he  saw  of  elegant  and  cul- 
tivated women  in  forty  years'  subsequent  intercourse  with 
the  world. 

We  subjoin  a  few  extracts  from  letters  referring  to  this 
period : 

From  Eev.  Eeuel  Kimball  to  Thomas  Brainerd. 

"Leyden,  Sept.  11th,  1827. 

"  My  dkar  Young  Friend  : 

"  I  this  day  received  and  read  your  letter  with  a  mournful 
pleasure.  The  thought  that  my  dear  daughter  is  gone  be- 
yond the  reach  of  my  prayers,  admonitions,  and  parental 
faithfulness,  fills  my  heart  at  times  with  acute  anguish. 

"  The  closing  scene  with  her  is  past,  and  she  sleeps  in 
death.  '  It  is  the  Lord, — let  Him  do  what  seemeth  Him 
good.'         ******** 

"  The  disappointment  to  you  is  doubtless  great.  You 
are  taught  by  this  dispensation  that  it  is  vain  to  look  for 

5 


46    LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

happiness  in  man.  I  liope,  Thomas,  that  you  will  so  im- 
prove the  voice  of  God  as  to  receive  '  beauty  for  ashes,  the 
oil  of  joy  for  mourning,  and  the  garment  of  praise  for  the 
spirit  of  heaviness.'  May  God  direct  you  in  the  path  of 
duty,  and  may  you  be  willing  to  submit  to  his  will. 

"  Your  friend, 

"Reuel  Kimball." 


From  T.  Braiaerd  to  Beuel  Kimball,  Jr. 

"  Rome,  Sept.  19th,  1827. 

"  Dear  Reuel  : 

"My  mind  constantly  and  irresistibly  dwells  on  our 
recent  bereavement.  Affection  for  Huldah  has  so  long 
possessed  my  mind,  has  so  interwoven  itself  with  every 
emotion  of  my  heart,  that  her  death  has  produced  an  over- 
whelming effect  on  every  feeling  of  my  soul.  This  village 
seems  a  '  valley  and  shadow  of  death.' 

"  On  Huldah's  account  as  well  as  my  own,  I  have  here- 
tofore sought  friends, — I  had  succeeded  ;  and  looked  for- 
ward with  pleasure  to  the  time  when  I  should  be  per- 
mitted to  transplant  so  lovely  a  flower  into  scenes  of 
friendship  and  happiness  worthy  of  her  merit.  My  friends 
manifest  the  most  tender  concern  for  my  welfare,  and  ad- 
mit the  magnitude  of  my  loss  ;  but  they  cannot  heal  the 
wound. 

"My  friends  in  Leyden  cannot  realize  my  suflFerings. 
They  do  not  know  how  I  have  loved  Huldah  through  long 

TToa'pa  *  ^  ^  'T'  *>  'r*  *  ^ 

"  She  was  so  beautiful  and  intelligent;  modest  without 
prudery,  and  elegant  without  ostentation.  In  her  were 
associated  every  quality  and  accomplishment  which  can 
attract  admiration  and  enchain  the  heart."        *         * 


READING  LAW.  47 

T.  Brainerd  to  Wait  Talcott,  Esq. 

"Rome,  Oct.  4th,  1827. 

*****"  Two  short  months  since  I 
was  as  happy  as  the  happiest ;  now  a  cold  and  death-like 
despair  oppresses  my  soul.  My  heart  is  broken.  '  Oh, 
that  my  eyes  were  waters  and  my  head  a  fountain  of 
tears!'  The  sun  of  my  hopes  has  set  forever.  What  I 
write,  compared  with  what  I  feel,  is  apathy  itself.  You 
have  acted  the  part  of  a  true  friend  to  rae,  both  in  pros- 
perity and  adversity,  and  may  Heaven  reward  you.  You 
know  on  what  subject  to  write  to  interest  me,  and  you 
sympathize  with  me  enough  to  choose  that  subject. 

*         *         *         *         **         *         *         *         * 

"I  sometimes  see  that  this  affliction  was  intended  in 
love  to  my  soul.  I  had  become  worldly,  ambitious,  and 
proud.  H.  K.  was  my  idol.  She  occupied  the  place  that 
God  demands  in  every  human  heart.  God' saw  the  rock  on 
which  I  was  about  to  shipwreck,  and  in  kindness  took  her 
away;  disappointed  my  ambitious  schemes,  and  in  some 
measure  humbled  my  proud  heart."  *  *  * 

By  the  kindness  of  Rev.  Albert  Barnes  we  are  allowed 
to  publish  the  following  letter  in  reference  to  this  period. 
Under  date  of  August  2d,  186T,  Mr.  Barnes  writes  : 

"  I  received  some  time  ago  the  inclosed  letter  from  Dr. 
Brainerd's  friend  and  my  friend,  the  Rev.  Horace  Bush- 
nell,  a  townsman  of  mine.  He  is  a  most  remarkable  man; 
and,  of  all  living  men  that  I  am  acquainted  with,  I  know 
of  no  one  that  I  think  will  occupy  a  place  nearer  the 
throne  in  heaven.  It  has  some  notices  of  the  early  life  of 
Dr.  Brainerd  which  I  thought  might  be  interesting  to  you, 
and  I  therefore  inclose  it.  The  world  will  be  the  better 
the  more  that  is  known  of  Dr.  Brainerd. 

"  Sincerely  and  truly  yours, 

"  Albert  Barnes." 


48  LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

"  Cincinnati,  May  31st,  1867. 

"  Rev.  a.  Barnes. 
"  Dear  Brother  : 

"  Since  the  death  of  Brother  Brainerd,  I  have  often 
thought  of  you,  and  the  ]o.ss  you  mn.st  have  sustained  by 
his  departure.  You  knew  his  worth  far  better  than  ni}^- 
self,  though  he  was  very  dear  to  me.  We  both  professed 
our  faith  in  the  Lord  Jesus  at  the  same  altar  and  on  the 
same  day.  I  became  acquainted  with  him  in  Mr.  Oliver 
Grosvenor's  school,  at  Rome,  in  the  autumn  of  1826  ;  and 
during  the  winter  vacations,  studied  with  him.  I  had  then 
little  hope  of  entering  the  ministry,  being  then  twenty-four 
years  old.  When  I  urged  Brother  Brainerd  to  enter  the 
ministry  at  that  time  he  always  evinced  deep  emotion, 
but  replied,  '  I  haven't  grace  enough  to  be  a  beggar ; 
though  I  would  love  to  preach  the  gospel.  I  cannot  bring 
myself  to  be  a  pensioner  on  others.' 

"  But  our  Master  knows  bow  to  humble  his  erring  chil- 
dren and  make  them  willing  in  the  day  of  his  power.  The 
idol  of  his  heart  was  suddenly  removed  by  death,  and  our 
dear  brother  then  sat  down  at  the  feet  of  Jesus,  teachable 
as  a  little  child;  and  the  Blessed  One  led  him  till  he  had 
finished  his  course.  I  was  intimately  acquainted  with  him 
in  Cincinnati,  when  pastor  of  one  of  the  feeblest  churches ; 
and  at  our  last  interview  he  said,  '  Those  days  spent 
with  the  poor  widows,  in  the  Fourth  Church,  were  the 
happiest  in  my  life.'  He  could  condescend  to  the  feeblest 
of  Christ's  flock. 

"I  have  no  good  reason  for  troubling  you  Avith  this 
communication,  only  to  express  my  obligation  for  your 
instructions.  Your  ^'otes  have  been  almost  my  only 
commentary  during  my  ministry  ;  and  3'ou  have  accom- 
plished a  glorious  work,  in  furnishing  tens  of  thousands  of 
Sabbath-school  teachers  with  the  means  of  instructing 
those  under  their  care. 


READING  LAW.  49 

"  I  feci  undei"  obligations  for  your  kind  attentions  when 
in  Philadelphia,  and  also  when  sick  at  Rome. 

"  My  active  life  is  probably  about  closed.  I  was 
licensed  to  preach  October  14th,  1831, — and  till  January 
26th,  1867,  had  been  detained  from  the  pulpit  by  sickness 
only  three  Sabbaths,  and  during  those  years  have  preached 
as  often  as  once  a  day.  In  my  missionaiy  labors  for 
thirty-five  years  I  have  found  the  work  most  pleasant, 
and  followed  it  till  it  seemed  a  part  of  my  being.  I  had 
almost  forgotten  my  blindness;  and,  blessed  with  a  re- 
tentive memory,  felt  but  little  the  privation  of  being  un- 
able to  read.  Thus  cheerfully  I  passed  by  my  sixty-fourth 
birthday,  thinking  probably,  like  my  ancestors,  I  should 
hold  out  at  least  ten  years  longer ;  not  even  sighing 
for  the  rest  of  heaven  ;  for  I  loved  my  labor,  and  the 
candle  of  the  Lord  shined  in  my  darkness,  But  on  the 
26th  of  January  I  received  a  slight  injury  in  my  limb  ; 
inflammation  ensued,  and  for  eighteen  wefeks  I  have  been 
confined  to  the  house,  and  till  within  the  last  week  to  my 
bed  ;  and  I  have  learned  by  experience  the  extreme  of 
physical  suffering.  I  am  now  convalescent;  my  pain  less 
severe ;  but  my  limb  is  useless,  and  will  doubtless  remain 
so.  This  is  my  first  severe  illness.  I  have  not  been  left 
to  murmur,  but  rather  to  admire  the  goodness  of  God. 
Friends  have  appeared  on  every  side,  and  the  unknown 
future  I  commit  to  Him  who  doeth  all  things  well, — who 
has  loved  us  and  redeemed  us  to  God  by  his  own  blood. 
He  is  my  light,  my  strength,  and  my  salvation. 

"And  have  I  not  been  highly  favored  ,of  the  Master  ? 
Is  it  a  small  thing  that  the  blessed  Jesus  has  permitted 
me,  for  the  last  thirty-five  years,  to  tell  the  story  of  a 
Saviour's  love  to  so  many  thousands  perishing  in  the  hos- 
pitals and  prisons,  and  that  so  many  of  them  have  accepted 
His  salvation  ? 

5* 


50  I'IFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRA  [NERD,  D.D. 

"Accept  my  thanks  for  the  aid  you  have  given  me  in 
this  blessed  work,  and  pray  that  I  may  finish  my  course 
with  joy.  "  Your  brother, 

"H.  BUSIINELL."* 

This  era  was  marked  by  a  change  in  all  the  purposes  and 
views  which  had  heretofore  controlled  the  life  of  Thomas 
Brainerd.  With  abated  worldly  ambition,  with  a  humbled 
spirit,  and  under  earnest  convictions  of  duty,  at  the  age 
of  twent3^-three  he  gave  up  the  law  for  the  gospel. 

Ilis  first  local  change  in  pursuing  his  new  plans,  was  to 
avail  himself  of  an  opportunity  to  teach  a  year  in  Phila- 
delphia, to  obtain  the  pecuniary  means  of  entering  An- 
dover  Theological  Seminary.  He  was  located  in  the  north- 
ern part  of  the  city,  and  connected  himself  with  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Patterson's  church.  Extracts  from  his  letters  to  his 
friend,  Wait  Talcott,  furnish  the  best  account  of  his  life  at 
this  time. 

"  Philadelphia,  Jan.  22d,  1828. 

"  To  Wait  Talcott,  Esq. 

"  I  am  located  in  a  central  and  pleasant  part  of  this  beau- 
tiful city,  and  already  have  a  circle  of  warm-hearted  friends 
around  me.  By  a  chain  of  incidental  circumstances  I  was 
brought  here,  and  took  charge  of  Trenton  Academy  three 
weeks,  the  preceptor  being  absent  on  a  visit.  Friends 
seem  to  have  been  provided  by  God  to  receive  me  in  all 
my  wanderings. 

"  Mr.  Patterson,  a  devoted  minister  of  the  gospel  of  this 
city,  received  me  to  his  house  and  procured  pupils  for  me. 
Life  is  a  rugged  road  ;  the  scenes  of  August  have  left  a 
kind  of  melancholy  tenderness  on  my  mind  which  will  ac- 
company me  to  the  grave.  In  this  land  of  strangers  I 
remember    you,   my   dear  Wait,    with  peculiar  affection. 


*  Mr.  Bushnell  has  for  many  years  been  totallj'  blind.     We  offer  no 
apology  for  giving  this  interesting  letter  entire. 


READING  LAW.  51 

Many  hundred  niilcs  now  separate  us,  but  I  trust  we  are 
both  journeying  to  that  bright  world  where  we  shall  join 
hands  to  part  no  more. 

"  Our  beloved  Mr.  Finney  is  here  preaching  with  his 
accustomed  energ}'.  Five  or  six  of  the  Philadelphia  clergy- 
]nen  are  much  attached  to  him,  while  some  others  oppose 
him.  But  prejudice  is  fast  vanishing  away,  and  hundreds 
who  came  to  find  fault,  go  away  ashamed  of  their  jealousy. 

*****  "Tray  that  God  would  give 
me  opportunities  to  do  good.  I  am  willing  to  try  the 
burning  plains  of  Africa,  or  the  cold  regions  of  North 
America  among  the  Indians,  if  I  think  it  my  duty." 

To  the  same. 

"  Philadelphia,  April  3d,  ]828. 

*         *         *  "  The  revival  still  continues  under 

the  preaching  of  Mr.  Finney.  About  one  hundred  and 
fifty  indulge  hopes,  and  three  times  that  number  are  anx- 
ious. Mr.  Finney  is  as  much  engaged  as  at  Rome,  and 
nothing  is  able  to  stand  before  him.  He  pursues  the  even 
tenor  of  his  way ;  but  little  is  said  by  the  doctors  against 
him,  and  though  they  stand  aloof  from  the  revival,  they 
no  longer  oppose  openly. 

"  I  attend  meetings  every  evening,  and  have  for  months. 
This,  with  my  school  and  other  duties,  keeps  me  constantly 
engaged.  I  am  superintendent  of  a  Sabbath-school,  and 
one  of  the  Managers  of  the  Sabbath-school  Union.    *    * 

"I  expect  to  leave  this  place  for  Andover  in  July,  and 
you  will  not  disappoint  me  in  the  expectation  of  receiving 
a  letter  from  you  before  I  go." 


CHAPTER    lY. 

ANDOVER    THEOLOGICAL    SEMINARY — CORRESPONDENCE — 

1828-1832. 

WE  gain  almost  our  only  knowledge  of  Mr.  Brainerd's 
student  life  at  Andoverfrom  his  letters  during  these 
four  years.  We  shall  make  such  extracts  from  his  corre- 
spondence with  friends  as  will  illustrate  his  character  and 
pursuits  during  this  period. 

"Andover  Theo.  SEir.,  Aug.  9th,  1828. 

"  To  Wait  Talcott,  Esq. 

"I  left  Philadelphia  July  15th,  and  stopping  at  Trenton, 
New  York,  Lebanon  Springs,  and  Boston,  did  not  reach 
this  place  till  August  2d.  1  am  much  pleased  with  the 
location  of  the  Seminary,  and  the  kind,  brotherly  feelings 
of  the  students. 

"  The  faculty  are  plain,  fraternal,  and  affectionate  in 
their  intercourse  with  the  students." 


From  Rev.  Charles  G.  Finney. 

"Philadelphia,  Oct.  21st,  1828. 

"  My  dear  Brainerd  : 

"  Your  letter  came  duly  to  hand,  and  afforded  me  much 
pleasure.  I  seize  a  moment  in  which  to  mention  a  thing 
or  two. 

'•First,  be  careful,  amid  the  various  specimens  of  public 
speaking  which  are  constantly  before  3^ou,  not  to  become 
a  copyist.     Be  Brainerd,  or  you  will  be  nobody.     I  have 


AN  DOVER    TUEOLOGICAL   SEMINARY.  53 

seen  many  young*  men  spoiled  by  setting  up  a  model  and 
attemptinj^  to  fashion  themselves  after  it.  In  this  the\^ 
fail.  In  the  attempt,  however,  they  spoil  themselves  by 
losing  themselves  under  their  borrowed  manner,  and  often, 
to  observing  eyes,  render  themselves  very  ridiculous  and 
disgusting. 

"  Be  careful,  my  dear  Brainerd,  not  to  suffer  yourself  to 
be  criticised  out  of  a  natural  and  colloquial  style  of  com- 
munication. I  cannot  speak  of  Andover  particularly  as  to 
style  and  manner,  but  I  am  certain  that  much  that  is 
called  79i<?piY  eloquence,  at  the  present  day,  is  mere  bosh, 
and  noise,  and  foppery.  I  have  the  greatest  confidence  in 
the  piety  and  theology  of  Andover,  but  there  are  three 
principal  defects  in  the  specimens  which  I  have  seen  from 
there,  which  I  shall  mention  to  jovl  with  perfect  freedom. 
Their  young  men  are  not  half  enough  in  earnest.  A 
hearer  would  be  very  apt  often  to  catch  the  impression 
that  they  were  performing  professioiial  duty.  This  makes 
infidels,  however  logically  they  may  reason.  Unless  they 
appear  to  believe  their  own  message,  it  would  be  a  miracle 
if  others  believed  it.  They  are  too  stiff,  there  is  not 
enough  of  nature  in  their  manner.  They  are  not  collo- 
quial enough.  Their  style  is  too  elevated,  their  periods 
too  round,  too  much  dress  and  drapery  and  millinery  and 
verbiage  about  their  preaching.  They  are,  or  seem  to  be, 
afraid  of  being  called  vulgar.  They  are  not,  by  the  mul- 
titude, understood.  I  do  not  mean  that  these  things  are 
peculiar  to  Andover  ;  they  are  the  common  defects  of  most 
theological  students.  The  more  I  preach,  and  the  more  I 
hear  others  preach,  the  more  I  am  impressed  with  the  ripe 
conviction  that  a  prominent  reason  why  preaching  pro- 
duces so  little  effect  is,  because  it  is  not  understood.  Young 
men  are  often  afraid  and  ashamed  of  using  common  words. 
From  this  error  stand  off  wide.  Keep  clear,  or  you  make 
shipwreck  of  your  usefulness.     I  am  called  vulgar,  and 


54  LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

yet  I  find  that  I  often  use  language  that  a  gi'eat  part  of 
my  hearers  don't  understand. 

"  The  remark  is  often  made  to  me,  '  I  never  understood 
preaching  until  I  heard  you.'  Don't  think  by  this  that  I 
mean  to  make  myself  a  standard.  By  no  means.  I  only 
mean  to  advert  to  the  fact,  that  if  a  man  will  be  under- 
stood, he  must  dare  to  be  called  vulgar.  There  is  another 
thing,  however,  of  infinite  importance  to  a  student  of 
divinity,  and  that  in  which  it  is  not  slander  to  say  almost 
all  ministers  greatly  fail.     I  mean  a  spirit  of  prayer. 

"  I  am  convinced  that  nothing  in  the  whole  Christian 
religion  is  so  difficult,  and  so  rarely  attained,  as  a  praying 
heart.  Without  this  you  are  as  weak  as  weakness  itself. 
With  it  you  are  irreaistihle.  This  would  be  thought  a 
strange  remark  by  some,  and  to  savor  strongly  of  fanati- 
cism. But  I  tell  you,  my  dear  B.,  before  the  millennium 
comes  the  church  will  have  to  turn  over  a  new  leaf,  and 
take  a  new  lesson  on  the  subject  of  prayer.  You  remember 
this !  When  I  think  how  almost  certain  you  are  to  lose 
what  of  the  praying  spirit  you  ever  had,  and  come  out  of 
the  Seminary  very  wise,  but  very  dry,  and  go  about  '  sow- 
ing seed,''  without  unction  and  life  and  spirituality,  I  am 
distressed,  and  could  I  raise  my  voice  with  sufficient 
strength,  you  would  hear  my  cry,  'Brainerd,  beware  !  Lay 
down  your  books  and  pray !'  Frequent  seasons  of  secret 
fasting  and  prayer  are,  in  my  oiun  mind,  wholly  indispen- 
sable to  the  keeping  up  an  intercourse  with  God. 

"  My  dear  brother,  let  me  say  again  and  again,  if  you 
lose  your  spirit  of  prayer  you  will  do  nothing,  or  next  to 
nothing,  though  you  had  the  intellectual  endowments  of 
an  angel.  My  beloved  Brainerd,  will  you  remember  this? 
If  you  lose  your  spirituality,  you  had  better  stop  and  break 
off  in  the  midst  of  your  preparations,  and  repent  and  return 
to  God,  or  go  about  some  other  employment;  for  I  cannot 
contemplate  a  more  loathsome  and  abominable  object  than 


ANDOVER    THEOLOGICAL   SEMINARY.  55 

an  earthly-minded   minister.      The   blessed   Lord  deliver 
and  preserve  his  dear  church  from  the  guidance  and  influ- 
ence of  men  who  know  not  what  it  is  to  pray. 
"  Yours  in  the  best  of  bonds,* 

"  C.  G.  Finney." 
"  p.  S. — On  running  over  this  letter,  it  occurred  to  me 
that  the  impression  might  be  made  upon  your  mind  by  it 
that  T  suppose  the  faults  in  the  manner  of  preaching,  which 
I  have  mentioned,  are  more  prominent  in  Andover  students 
than  in  others.  This  is  not  my  meaning.  Upon  the  whole, 
I  give,  in  my  own  mind,  the  decided  preference  to  Ando- 
ver above  all  the  seminaries,  and  think  the  faults  less  con- 
spicuous in  their  students  than  in  others.  But  yet  they 
are  faulty  in  these  things  generally.  They  are  too  meas- 
ured and  dryly  systematic  to  be  what  they  ought  to  be. 

''C.  G.  F." 

We  have  given  Mr.  Finney's  letter  entire  on  account  of 
the  judicious  and  practical  nature  of  his  instructions  to 
young  men  who  are  looking  to  the  ministry. 

To  Wait  Talcott,  Esq. 

"Andover,  Oct.  29th,  1828. 

"  I  have  just  returned  from  New  Hampshire, — labored 
in  a  Unitarian  town,  with  a  little  orthodox  church,  who 
have  no  pastor.  I  preached  twenty  times  in  four  weeks, 
and  hope  did  some  good.  Crowds  came  to  hear.  I  dealt 
pointedly  and  faithfully  with  saints  and  sinners, — en- 
couraging the  former  to  pray  and  the  latter  to  repent.  I 
left  the  church  with  a  regret  which  I  believe  was  fully  re- 
ciprocated, if  tears  mean  anything. 

"  To-morrow  the  term  commences.     I  am  much  pleased 

■••■On  this  letter  was  indorsed,  in  the  handwriting  of  Thomas  Brainerd : 
"0  Lord,  assist  me  to  remember  and  practice  the  precepts  contained  in 
this  letter,  for  Christ's  sake.     Amen. 

"T.  Brainerd." 


56  I^IFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

with  this  seminary,  and  think  I  shall  spend  my  time  very 
happily  here." 

To  the  same. 

"  Andover,  Jany.  11th,  1829. 

"About  six  weeks  since,  I  received  a  statement  of  the 
proceedings  of  your  Temperance  Society.  I  became  a 
member  of  such  a  society  in  Philadelphia,  and  have  since 
religiously  regarded  my  promise  to  'taste  not,  touch  not' 
the  liquid  fire.  I  think  the  time  has  come  for  putting 
down  a  vice  which  has  tainted  the  life-blood  of  society 
and  thrown  myriads  of  immortal  beings  into  perdition." 

To  the  same. 

"  Andover,  March  4th,  1829. 

*****"  Residing  in  this  peaceful, 
consecrated  seminary,  associating  almost  exclusively  with 
those  who  have  drank  at  the  fountains  of  ancient  and 
modern  science,  who  have  also  sanctified  their  literary 
acquisitions  at  the  altar  of  heaven;  enjoying  good  health, 
every  want  supplied  and  almost  every  wish  gratified,  I 
Avould  most  gratefully  recognize  the  kind  hand  of  a  benefi- 
cent God,  and  devoutly  bless  Him  wiio  hath  given  me  a 
pleasant  heritage.  Mercy,  undeserved  and  abundant,  has 
been  my  portion.  Light  has  risen  in  darkness,  joy  in  the 
midst  of  grief,  hope  out  of  despair,  and  rich  consolations 
and  support  in  the  hour  of  trial.  Did  my  conscience  tell 
me  that  omniscience  approves  the  sensations  of  my  heart 
and  the  actions  of  my  hands;  could  1  believe  that  daily 
I  was  laying  up  a  treasure  for  eternity,  I  should  be 
happy. 

"  But  no  place  is  too  holy  for  the  intrusion  of  vain 
thoughts,  ambitious  purposes,  unsanctified  affections. 
They  entered  heaven  and  poisoned  the  love  of  angels; 


ANDOVER    THEOLOGICAL   SEMINARY.  57 

they  entered  Paradise  and  taught  man  to  rebel  against  his 
God ;  they  entered  amid  the  little  band  that  Jesus  chose, 
and  caused  one  to  sink  to  perdition.  Such  feelings  some- 
times find  a  place  in  the  schools  of  the  prophets  ;  they  are 
sometimes  felt  by  him  who  ministers  at  the  altar. 

"  Wherever  felt  or  found,  they  carry  in  their  train  spiritual 
sickness  and  death.  How  natural  it  is  to  wish  to  be  called 
a  great  man  ;  to  have  popularity  ;  to  be  admired,  flattered; 
and  yet  how  sinful  are  such  wishes  !  Gratified,  they  do 
not  procure  happiness  ;  and  ungratified,  they  certainly  pro- 
duce misery.  Have  men  of  genius  accomplished  most  for 
the  cause  of  God  and  amelioration  of  the  condition  of  man  ? 
Look  at  Byron — a  meteor  which  shed  a  lurid  glare  on  the 
earth,  quenched  in  the  ocean  of  eternity, — its  course  can 
only  be  known  by  the  arid,  scorched,  blackened  track  which 
it  leaves  behind.  Such  has  been  the  influence  not  of  By- 
ron and  Yoltaire  only,  but  of  nine-tenths  of  all  men  of 
genius,  who  have  lived  and  demoralized  society  and  died. 
This  is  being  'damned  to  everlasting  fame.'  May  you  and 
I,  dear  Wait,  keep  at  the  foot  of  the  cross  ;  and  if  there 
we  do  our  duty,  Jesus  will  say  to  us  in  another  world, 
'  Come  up  higher  !' 

"  The  boys  in  the  academy  have  the  cannon  out  to-day, 
to  celebrate  the  inauguration  of  Jackson. 

"  Your  sincere  friend  and  Christian  brother, 

"  T.  Brainerd." 

"Andover,  April  9th,  1829. 

"  My  dear  Wait  : 

"  Andover  has  become  to  me  a  home.  It  is  truly  a  conse- 
crated, lovely  place.  Gratitude  and  devotion  to  God  ought 
to  burn  in  our  hearts  and  melt  on  our  lips,  that  in  this 
place  where  the  wicked  (ourselves  excepted)  trouble  not, 
wtiere  the  cares  of  the  world  oppress  not,  we  may  prepare 

6 


58     LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

ourselves  with  the  armor  of  truth  that  we  may  fight  the 
battles  of  the  Lord. 

"  A  thousand  interesting  recollections  are  associated 
with  this  place.  Parsons,  Fisk,  Mills,  Judson,  Newell, 
once  trod  the  ground  which  we  tread  ;  offered  up  their 
morning  and  evening  devotions  at  the  same  social  altar. 
They  had  our  trials  and  more  than  our  devotion.  They 
sleep  silently  on  the  burning  plains  of  Asia — their  warfare 
over.  Could  I  feel  as  they  felt,  and  was  I  qualified  as  they 
were,  I  would  cheerfully  abandon  all  that  is  near  and  dear 
in  my  native  country  to  follow  their  footsteps  ;  but,  alas  ! 
how  often  does  sin  and  unbelief  and  selfishness  cloud  my 
own  hopes  and  I'ender  me  indifferent  to  the  sighing  of  a 
lost  world!  The  sinner  stretches  out  his  imploring  hands 
for  that  gospel  to  which  he  has  never  listened,  and  I  feel 
little  and  do  little  for  the  blessed  cause  of  that  Saviour 
who  abjured  heaven  for  me. 

"  The  cause  of  temperance  prospers  here.  That  period, 
thank  God,  has  arrived  when  it  is  disgraceful  for  a  Chris- 
tian even  to  taste  the  slow  poison. 

"  Mr.  Finney  is  still  at  Reading,  in  the  midst  of  a 
powerful  revival,  as  usual.  Pray  for  him!  New  York, 
Boston,  and  Philadelphia  have  in  each  a  revival.  If 
these  moral  hearts  could  be  purified  they  would  send  a 
healthful  current  through  all  the  veins  of  our  republic. 

"  Christians  do  not  seem  to  be  discouraged  about  the 
Sabbath  mails,  the  sophistry  of  Colonel  Johnson  to  the 
contrary  notwithstanding. 

"  I  shall  leave  this  place  for  Philadelphia  a  week  from 
Monday, — vacation  five  weeks.  I  intend  to  be  in  Rome 
about  the  tenth  of  May. 

"  Your  attached  friend, 

"T.  Brainerd." 


CORRESPONDENCE.  59 

To  W.  T. 

"  Andover,  July  9th,  1829. 

''I  arrived  at  this  place  in  health  on  the  13th  ult.,  and 
am  again  permitted  to  enjoy  the  society  of  my  Chris- 
tian brethren  in  this  school  of  the  prophets.  My  health  is 
good,  my  studies  pleasant,  and  I  am  happy  if  the  world 
can  confer  happiness.  I  am  so  crowded  with  study  just 
now  that  I  am  obliged  to  almost  insult  you  with  this 
paltry  scrawl.  Accept  it  as  an  assurance  of  my  affection- 
ate remembrance  for  the  present,  and  a  pledge  of  something 
more  interesting  in  the  future. 

"  'Absent  or  dead,  a  friend  should  still  be  dear  ; 
A  sigh  the  absent  claims,  the  dead  a  tear.' 

"Your  true  friend, 

"T.  Brainerd," 

To  the  same. 

"Wilton,  N.  H.,  Sept.  1st,  1829. 

"  You  may  be  surprised  to  see  my  letter  dated  at  Wil- 
ton, N.  H.  It  is  a  pleasant  little  town,  amid  the  mount- 
ains, the  same  in  which  I  spent  my  vacation  last  fall. 
They  have  no  pastor,  and  so  I  came  up  to  supply  their 
pulpit  over  Sabbath. 

"  I  see  by  the  Rome  Repuhlican  that  Mr.  Finney  is  in 
Rome.  lie  will  have  a  high  place  among  that  shining 
number  who  have  turned  many  to  righteousness.  He  is 
wise  to  win  souls,  and  that  certainly  is  the  most  desirable 
wisdom.  They  say  he  is  eccentric,  enthusiastic,  etc.  And 
what  are  his  wise  censors  doing  that  they  take  the  liberty 
to  condemn  him?  The  only  way  to  avoid  censure  is  to 
be  tame,  silent,  still,  careful,  prudent;  and  some  men  are. 
able  to  avoid  all  censure  by  pursuing  this  course,  and  they 


GO  ^^IFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

deserve  about  as  much  praise  for  their  negative  goodness 
as  an  oyster.  JNlr.  P'inney  has  outlived  the  opposition  of 
his  brethren  ;  but  he  cannot  expect  to  live  till  he  can 
preach  the  whole  counsel  of  God  without  opposition.  I 
pray  God  that  the  church  in  Rome,  where  blessings  have 
fallen  not  in  detail  but  in  gross,  may  be  preserved  from 
spiritual  death." 

To  Wait  Talcott,  Esq. 

"  Andover,  Nov.  25th,  1829. 

*  *  *  *  "You  knew  that  one  year  ago  I 
spent  a  vacation  in  "Wilton,  N.  H.,  striving  to  build  up 
the  little  orthodox  church  in  that  town.  This  church 
separated  from  the  Unitarians  (who  still  hold  their  meet- 
ing-house) six  3'ears  ago.  They  numbered  at  first  but  five 
men  and  tAvelve  women.  They  had  no  meeting-house  and 
no  pastor.  The  wealth  and  influence  of  the  town  being  in 
the  hands  of  Unitarians,  was  arrayed  against  them.  They 
hired  an  '  upper  chamber,'  for  worship,  and  being  favored 
occasionally  with  preaching  from  the  ministers  in  the 
vicinity,  they  have  continued  to  increase  to  the  present 
time.  Last  August  one  of  the  members  came  to  Andover, 
forty  miles,  and  informed  me  that  the  hall  in  which  they  had 
been  accustomed  to  assemble  had  become  absolutely  too 
small  for  them  ;  that  they  had  undertaken  to  build  a  small 
church  ;  that,  after  taxing  themselves  to  the  extent  of  their 
ability,  there  was  still  a  deficiency  of  five  hundred  and 
thirty  dollars,  which  must  be  procured  before  the  house 
could  be  finished.  They  requested  me  to  act  as  their 
agent.  I  agreed  to  devote  to  the  object  one  vacation  of 
five  weeks.  The  business  was  full  of  trials.  I  sometimes 
laid  it  before  congregations  on  the  Sabbath,  but  more  fre- 
quently applied  in  person  to  the  benevolent  in  each  town. 
During  the  five  Aveeks  I  traveled  almost  incessantly,  but 


CORRESPOND  ENCE.  6 1 

before  the  end  of  my  allotted  time  I  bad  collected  five 
hundred  and  thirty-four  dollars.  The  people  of  Wilton 
rejoiced  in  my  success,  and  their  gratitude  more  than  com- 
pensates for  all  my  toil  and  labor." 

The  permanence  of  the  interest  which  Mr.  Brainerd  ex- 
cited was  a  marked  feature  of  his  whole  career.  In  the 
spring  of  1866  he  received  a  letter  from  Wilton,  written 
in  th^  tremulous  hand  of  age,  recounting  the  3^outhful 
memories  of  thirty-five  years  past. 

"Wilton,  April  29th,  1866. 

To  Rev.  T.  Brainerd. 

*  *  *  *  <'  Some  event  often  brings  to  mind 
the  few  weeks  you  spent  with  us  in  your  early  labors  in 
the  Christian  ministry.  I  have  been  recalling  some  of 
those  interesting  scenes  through  which  we  passed  when 
you  were  in  Wilton. 

"  We  are  more  indebted  to  you  in  obtaining  the  means 
for  the  building  of  our  church  than  to  any  other  man. 

"  I  should  be  very  happy  to  meet  you,  and  talk  of  the 
past,  the  present,  and  the  future. 

"  God  bless  you,  brother  !  If,  in  the  kind  providence  of 
God,  your  footsteps  should  lead  you  again  to  this  cherished 
spot  (for  it  must  be  so  to  you),  we  should  be  happy  to 
greet  you,  and  come  face  to  face  with  our  cherished  friend, 
Thomas  Brainerd. 

"  Yours  in  Christian  love, 

"  Z.  Abbott." 


"Andover,  Jany.  17th,  1830. 

My  dear  Friend,  W.  T.: 

*         *         *         *  "As  our  acquaintance  has  been 

long  and  the  chain  of  friendship  (to  use  an  Indian  phrase), 

6* 


62  Ll^FE   OF  REV.  THOMAS  BR AI NERD,  D.D. 

which  at  an  early  period  connected  our  hearts,  has  nev'er 
been  broken  or  even  cracked  ;  though  my  negligence  has 
sometimes  given  it  quite  a  stretch,  I  deemed  it  duty  to 
answer  your  letter  first. 

*         *         *         *  "  You  speak  of  the  decision  of 

on  the  Sabbath  question  :  '  That  the  moral  law  was  abro- 
gated by  the  advent  of  Christ.'  I  had  supposed  the  moral 
law  to  be  the  great  chain  which  binds  the  universe  to  God. 
The  Sabbath  was  established  at  the  Creation,  long,  long 
before  the  Jewish  dispensation.  The  Decalogue  confirmed 
it;  the  Apostles,  though  they  changed  the  day  to  honor 
the  Son  of  God,  observed  it  as  a  Sabbath  ;  their  example  is, 
or  ought  to  be,  a  law  to  all  who  believe  in  their  divine  com- 
mission; and  so  long  as  God  requires  worship,  so  long  will 
the  obligation  to  devote  the  Sabbath  to  this  purpose  bind 

individuals  and  nations.     That  decision  of ought  to 

be  appended  to  Colonel  Johnson's  famous  report,  and  both 
published  together. 

"  Revivals  are  becoming  more  frequent  in  New  Eng- 
land. The  dark  night  seems  to  be  passing  away — the 
light  of  heaven  already  seems  to  streak  the  East. 

"  I  pray  that  above  all  else  we  may  seek  to  promote  the 
interests  of  Christ's  kingdom, — and  feel  deeply  for  perish- 
ing sinners, — 

"'Who,  much  diseased,  yet  nothing  feel; 
Much  menaced,  nothing  drea  I  ; 
Have  wounds  which  God  alone  can  heal. 
Yet  never  ask  his  aid.' 

"  Your  friend, 

"  Thos.  Brainerd." 

In  the  spring  of  1S30  Mr.  Brainerd  undertook  an  agency 
in  behalf  of  Sabbath-schools  in  the  eastern  part  of  Massa- 
chusetts.    Strange  as  it  now  appears,  they  were  almost  a 


CORRESPONDENCE.  63 

new  institution  in  the  most  enlightened  section  of  the 
country. 

To  Miss  S.  J.  L. 

"Salem,  May  13th,  1830. 
*         *         *         *  "  You  ask  how  I  succeed  in 

my  agency.  Very  well  indeed.  I  have  visited  five  towns, 
most  of  which  are  large  sea-port  towns,  and  in  each  have 
succeeded,  by  personal  interviews  and  public  addresses,  in 
exciting  the  friends  of  Sabbath-schools  to  more  vigorous 
exertions.  Within  two  weeks  I  have  delivered  nineteen 
public  addresses,  many  of  which  were  more  than  an  hour 
in  length.  On  the  Sabbath  I  deliver  an  address  in  the 
pulpit  of  one  church  in  the  morning,  and  then  go  four  or 
five  miles  to  another  church  in  the  afternoon.  These,  with 
two  addresses  to  Sabbath-schools,  and  one  to  young  men 
on  Bible  classes,  in  the  evening,  make  out  five  speeches  on 
the  Sabbath,  three  of  which  are  an  hour  in  length.  Then 
I  have  four  or  five  addresses  to  make  during  the  week. 
There  is  perhaps  not  one  student  in  twenty  who  is  able  to 
speak  as  many  hours  in  a  day  as  myself  without  injury  to 
his  health.  I  generally  speak  with  great  earnestness  and 
much  physical  effort,  but  still  with  great  ease  to  myself. 

"  God  has  blessed  my  labors.  In  one  Aveek  fifteen  new 
scholars  were  added  to  one  Sabbath-school.  In  every 
other  place  God,  I  trust,,  made  me  the  instrument  of 
good. 

"  I  left  Andover  April  30th,  came  to  Salem,  stayed  two 
days, — left  two  weeks  ago  to-day, — went  through  the 
towns  of  Beverly,  Wenham,  Hamilton,  Essex,  and  Glou- 
cester, and  returned  yesterday  to  this  place.  To-morrow 
morning  I  leave  to  visit  Lynn,  Mai'blehead,  Lynnfield,  and 
Dan  vers ;  and  after  spending  about  two  weeks  in  these 
places,  I  shall  return  to  this  city,  Salem,  and  labor  one 
week,  including  the  Sabbath,  in  which  1  deliver  an  address 


64    LIFE   OF  REV.  THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

to  three  churches,  and  then  our  term  commences,  and  I 
shall  go  to  Andover. 

"Yesterday  I  came  from  Sandy  Bay,  a  parish  on  Cape 
Ann,  where  the  people  obtain  a  living  by  the  cod-fishery. 
On  the  point  of  Cape  Ann  is  one  of  the  most  flourishing 
churches  in  Massachusetts,  made  up  of  these  fishermen, — 
many  of  whom  are  intelligent  and  Avealthy, — with  their 
wives  and  children.  Mr.  Jewett,  the  pastor,  a  very  good 
man,  went  to  that  village  twenty-four  years  ago,  and 
found  it  a  moral  desolation.  He  commenced  under  every 
discouragement,  and  labored  ten  years  with  doubtful  suc- 
cess. The  Lord  has  blessed  him,  and  Mr.  Jewett  has  now 
a  church  of  more  than  two  hundred  members,  a  Sabbath- 
school  of  nearly  three  hundred  members,  a  moral,  atten- 
tive congregation  of  nearly  two  thousand.  The  tear 
glistened  in  his  eyes  while  Mr.  Jewett  recounted  to  me 
the  Avonders  God  had  showed  among  his  people.  I  did 
not,  in  Sandy  Bay,  see  one  man  intoxicated,  nor  hear  one 
profane  word.  The  fishermen,  while  they  pursue  their 
hazardous  and  laborious  employment  on  the  ocean,  are 
accustomed  to  have  prayers  morning  and  evening  on 
board  their  ships."       ****** 

The  following  letter,  to  a  3'oung  friend  who  had  written 
to  Mr.  Brainerd  for  some  directions  to  guide  him  in  a 
course  of  private  study,  contains  suggestions  so  judicious 
and  comprehensive  that  it  may  be  useful  to  others.  The 
early  studies  of  his  \'oung  friend  had  been  repeatedly  iu- 
teiTupted  by  inflammation  of  the  e\'es,  to  which  fact  allu- 
sion is  made  in  the  letter. 

"Andover,  May,  1830. 

"  You  ask  my  advice  about  study.  I  highl}^  approve 
of  your  purpose  of  mental  improvement.  The  finest  and 
most  finished  education   will   grow  rusty  by  neglect   of 


CORRESPONDENCE.  65 

study.      Mental  cultivation  is  everything  to  those  who 
wish  to  exert  an  influence  over  mind. 

"  In  the  first  place,  let  me  advise  you  not  to  injure  your 
eyes.  Secondly,  carefully  revise  all  the  common,  every- 
day branches  of  education.  These  are  more  necessary 
than  any  other,  inasmuch  as  they  are  to  be  brought  into 
use  in  the  daily  concerns  of  life.  Begin,  and  neglect 
nothing  until  you  understand  it  perfectly,  with  Grammar, 
Geography,  Arithmetic,  Easy  Geometry,  Civil  and  Eccle- 
siastical History,  as  it  is  found  in  compends  for  the  schools, 
jS^atural  and  Moral  Philosophy,  on  a  small  but  well-ad- 
justed plan.  Then  Botan}^,  Chemistr}',  Blair's  Rhetoric, 
Astronomy.  When  you  have  refreshed  your  mind  on  these 
studies,  proceed  to  Paley's  Natural  Theology, — a  little  but 
extremely  valuable  book, — Paley's  Evidences  of  Christi- 
anity, Alexander's  Evidences,  Watson's  Apology  for  the 
Bible,  Dick's  Christian  Philosophy.  And  if  your  time  is 
not  all  occupied  by  tliese,  try  to  write  out  your  thoughts 
on  some  subjects  of  moral  interest. 

"And  how  will  you  get  time  to  do  so  much  as  I  have 
laid  out  for  you  ?  1st.  By  rising  early,  and  never  looking* 
into  a  book  after  sundown.  If  you  study  evenings,  your 
eyes  are  gone  forever.  2d.  By  improving  all  the  shreds 
and  patches  of  time.  '  Gather  up  the  fragments,  that  no- 
thing be  lost.'  3d.  By  disciplining  your  mind  to  think 
steadily  and  straightforward  on  a  subject,  till  you  under- 
stand it  in  all  its  relations  ;  excluding  from  the  mind  every 
thought  not  connected  Avith  the  subject  before  you.  4th. 
By  taking  care  of  your  health  ;  spending  a  part  of  every 
day,  two  hours  at  least,  in  vigorous  exercise,  and  remain- 
ing in  the  house  evenings.  Are  you  unwilling  to  practice 
the  self-denial  attendant  on  this  course  ?  I  know  nothing 
better  to  advise.  I  practice  these  things  myself,  so  far  as 
circumstances  will  admit.  5th.  Do  one  thing  at  a  time, 
and   do  that  one  thing  uell.     Persevere  in   this  course 


6G  LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

steadily  for  a  year  at  least,  and  then  write  me  an  account 
of  your  progress,  and  if  you  find  difficulties,  tell  me  what 
the}"  are,  and  I  will  try  to  extricate  you." 


To  Wait  Talcott,  Essi. 

"An-dover,  Sept.  9th,  18.30. 

"  My  dear  Friend  : 

"  Soon  after  I  received  your  letter,  came  our  vacation. 
I  spent  it  in  the  south  part  of  this  county  on  an  agency 
for  Sabbath -schools.  I  visited  Marblehead,  Salem,  Lynn, 
etc.  These  towns  are  pleasantly  situated  on  the  sea-shore 
east  of  Boston.  I  spoke  on  the  subject  of  Sabbath-schools 
in  as  many  as  fifteen  towns  ;  in  almost  every  place  to  large 
and  attentive  audiences.  My  business  led  me  to  the  ex- 
treme point  of  Cape  Ann. 

"At  Newburyport  I.  went  down  into  a  vault  and  laid 
ray  hand  on  the  bones  of  the  great  Whitfield,  which  repose 
in  that  town.  I  felt  a  solemn  awe  in  contemplating  the 
mortal  remains  of  that  eminent  servant  of  God.  I  felt  the 
vanity  of  earth  while  the  unsightly  skeleton  of  the  great 
Whitfield  lay  before  me.  He  has  passed  away,  and  the 
millions  who  listened  to  his  warnings  and  entreaties  have 
gone  with  him  to  the  judgment  of  the  great  day.  He  does 
not  regret  his  zeal  and  self-denial.  The  toil  was  brief,  but 
the  rest  is  eternal ;  the  self-denial  was  severe,  but  the  re- 
ward is  rich  as  heaven  and  enduring  as  the  everlasting 
ages.  I  cannot  be  a  Whitfield,  but  God  grant  that  I  may 
resemble  him  in  devotion  to  the  cause  of  my  Master. 

"  You  have  heard  of  the  great  Salem  trials  for  the  mur- 
der of  Mr.  White  ?  I  was  there  six  days  listening  to  the 
eloquence  of  Daniel  Webster.  There  is  something  very 
majestic  in  his  appearance.  He  is  a  large,  black-eyed  man, 
with  large  whiskers.  There  is  a  fascination  in  his  smile, 
but  terror  in  bis  frown.   As  a  public  speaker,  I  have  never 


CORRESPONDENCE.  67 

listened  to  his  equal.  He  unites  good  taste,  strength,  and 
vivacity.  Had  he  not  been  engaged  in  the  case,  the  mur- 
derer, Avhom  every  one  knew  to  be  guilty,  would  probably 
have  escaped  through  a  loophole  of  the  law.  As  it  is,  to 
the  great  satisfaction  of  all  who  love  justice,  he  will  be 
hung. 

"  I  superintend  the  Sabbath-school  in  this  town.  It  is  a 
pleasant,  but  arduous  and  responsible  office.  Our  school 
consists  of  five  hundred  and  seventy,  of  all  ages  and  con- 
ditions. We  have  one  class  over  eighty  years  of  age  ; 
and  fifty  little  ones  under  five.  The  extremes  of  life  meet 
here.  The  Lord  has  blessed  us  with  a  revival,  which  com- 
menced in  May,  and  is  still  progressing  with  undiminished 
power.  About  thirty-five  scholars  are  indulging  hopes, 
and  seventy  attend  the  inquiry  meeting.  They  come  to  me 
sometimes  and  say,  in  a  tone  of  deep  feeling  and  affection, 
'Mr.  Brainerd,  will  you  pray  for  me?'  Mr.  J.,  a  plain 
man  in  a  remote  part  of  the  town,  went  out  about  four 
o'clock  one  morning,  and  saw  down  by  the  wall,  not  far 
from  his  house,  a  something,  he  could  not  tell  what.  He 
cautioiasly  drew  near,  and  heard  a  low,  faint  voice  ;  he  dis- 
covered it  was  his  little  daughter,  ten  years  old,  out  at  four 
o'clock  in  the  morning,  upon  her  knees  on  the  damp 
ground,  praying.  I  could  fill  a  sheet  with  such  cases. 
The  revival  is  not  confined  to  children,  but  extends  to  all 
ages  and  conditions.  Engaged  in  such  scenes,  and  hav- 
ing beside  my  studies  the  care  of  such  a  school,  I  have 
written  but  few  letters.  Our  vacation  is  at  hand.  I  leave 
Andover  Sept.  23d,  and  return  Nov.  1st. 

"  Yours  affectionately, 

"  T.  Brainerd." 


68  LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BR AI NERD,  D.D. 

To  Wait  Talcott. 

"Andover,  Feb.  17th,  1831. 

"My  dear  Friend: 

"Your  letter  brought  substantial  evidence  of  the  con- 
stancy and  sincerity  of  your  friendship.    Accept  my  hearty 

tllHiIlKS  ^  '^  ^  ^  ^  ^  ^  "^ 

"I  have  had  pecuniary  trials  many  times  since  I  com- 
menced my  studies.     The  benevolence  of  my  friends  in 

and  have  relieved  my  pressing  necessities, 

so  that  I  advance  comfortably  in  my  course. 

"I  was  licensed  to  preach,  the  last  of  December,  and 
preached  my  first  sermon  before  the  congregation  the 
second  Sabbath  in  January. 

"  As  I  draw  near  the  time  of  my  departure  from  this  de- 
lightful seminai'y,  to  enter  upon  the  wide  world  as  an  am- 
bassador of  Christ,  a  sense  of  the  overwhelming  responsi- 
bilities of  the  sacred  office  press  me  to  the  dust.  How  can 
I  sustain  an  office  which  made  even  an  apostle  cry  out, 
'Who  is  sufficient  for  these  things?'  I  am  weak,  but 
God  is  omnipotent ;  '  I  can  do  all  things  through  Christ 
strengthening  me.'  God  made  a  pebble  in  the  hand  of  a 
stripling  the  instrument  of  death  to  the  pride  of  Philistia's 
host.  He  can  sanctify  my  feeble  talents  and  acquisitions, 
so  that  1  shall  be  mighty  in  the  armies  of  Zion. 

"  My  Sabbath-school  still  flourishes.  Four  hundred  and 
fifty  attend  this  winter,  though  the  weather  has  been  pecu- 
liarly cold  and  tempestuous.  Within  the  last  year  sixty 
from  our  Sabbath-school  have  united  with  the  church. 

"  The  popular  feeling  in  this  section  of  country  toward 
Mr.  Finney  has  undergone  a  great  change.  1  should  think 
one-half  at  least  of  the  ministers  are  entirely  favorable  to 
him. 

"  I  graduate  at  this  seminary  the  23d  of  next  Septem- 
ber.    It  is  my  purpose  to  go  soon  after  to  the  Valley  of 


CORRESPONDENCE.  69 

the  Mississippi,  to  labor,  wear  out,' and  die  there.  But 
before  I  go  to  my  final  destination,  I  shall  visit  Leyden 
and  Rome. 

"  I  must  confess  that  I  was  sorry  to  hear  that  a  new 
church  was  organized  in  Rome.  When  there  are  such 
desolations  in  our  country,  I  regret  that  large  societies  do 
not  remain  united,  if  possible,  that  many  may  be  fed  at 
the  same  time  by  the  same  hand. 

"  Yours  truly, 

"  T.  Brainerd.  " 

To  Wait  Talcott,  Esq. 

"Andover,  July  14th,  1831. 

"  Since  I  first  saw  you,  my  long  cherished  friend,  I  have 
traveled  not  a  little  and  seen  much.  From  a  hundred  dif- 
ferent individuals  I  have  received  professions  of  affection. 
1  have  had  the  fortune,  or,  as  it  ma}'  prove,  the  misfortune, 
to  be  in  everyplace  where  I  have  labored,  a  popular  man; 
but  I  have  not  found,  nor  do  I  ever  expect  to  find,  a  friend 
dearer  to  me  than  yourself.  Your  friendship  has  been  so 
disinterested,  active,  tender,  constant  and  cheering,  that  I 
feel  fully  prepared  to  solve  the  problem.  Does  real  friend- 
ship exist  ? 

"  I  have  now  been  for  three  years  surrounded  by  pious, 
intelligent,  worthy  young  men,  whom  I  love  and  respect ; 
and  by  whom  I  have  reason  to  believe  that  I  am  esteemed. 
Yet  I  have  never  formed  a  friendship  with  any  of  these  of 
the  same  familiar  character  with  that  which  prevails  be- 
tween you  and  me.  Thinking  of  you,  I  roll  back  the 
wheel  of  time  ;  emotions,  too  thrilling  for  utterance,  are 
called  up  by  the  remembrance  of  the  scenes  in  which  we 
have  mingled.     ******* 

"I  finish  my  studies  in  two  months;  and  then,  after 

7 


70  I^IFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS   BRAINERD,  D.D. 

making  my  friends  in  Utica,  Rome,  and  Leyden  a  short 
visit,  shall  probably  go  to  the  West  and  there  spend  my 
life.  I  know  not  precisely  the  place  where  I  shall  be 
located.  If  it  is  a  place  where  I  can  be  useful,  no  matter, 
about  the  rest. 

"  Nearly  or  quite  six  hundred  attend  our  Sabbath-school. 
The  state  of  things  in  the  church  is  rather  interesting.  Re- 
vivals are  all  around  us.  Our  class  consists  of  forty-two. 
Eight  are  going  on  foreign  missions  ;  thirteen  as  domestic 
missionaries  to  the  West  and  South,  and  the  remainder 
will  stay  in  New  England.  We  shall  soon  be  scattered 
over  the  wide  world. 

"  It  is  said  that  Mr.  Finney  is  coming  to  Boston.  I 
should  be  glad  to  see  him,  although  I  am  fearful  his  re- 
ception in  Boston  would  be  rather  cold.  I  hope  he  will 
do  good.  "  Your  sincere  friend, 

"  T.  Brainerd." 

Mr.  Finney's  preaching,  like  that  of  Dr.  Beecher's,  formed 
a  new  era  in  the  history  of  the  church.  It  was  live  preach- 
ing ;  and  "  life  from  the  dead"  everywhere  followed  it.  Yet, 
like  all  new  movements,  it  was  viewed  with  jealousy  and 
distrust  in  many  quarters,  and  especially  in  New  Eng- 
land. 

In  July,  1827,  a  convention  met  at  New  licbanon,  com- 
posed of  leading  clergymen,  when  Dr.  Beecher  strongly 
expressed  his  unwillingness  to  have  Mr.  Finney  preach  in 
Boston.  But  while  attending  the  General  Assembly,  in 
Philadelphia,  in  1828,  Dr.  Beecher  writes  as  follows : 
"  There  is  such  an  amount  of  truth  and  power  in  the 
preaching  of  Mr.  Finney,  and  so  great  an  amount  of  good 
hopefully  done,  that  it  would  be  dangerous  to  oppo.se 
him,  lest  at  length  we  might  be  found  to  tight  against 
God." 

In  August,  1831,  Mr.  Finney  commenced  preaching  in 


CORRESPONDENCE.  71 

Park  Street  Church  and  other  churches  in  Boston,  with 
success,  by  direct  invitation  from  the  pastors.* 

During  Mr.  Brainerd's  residence  in  Philadelphia,  more 
particularly  while  supplying  the  Trenton  Academy,  in  the 
absence  of  the  principal,  he  was  introduced  to  the  family 
of  Mr.  Thomas  Langstroth,  of  Trenton,  New  Jersey. 
Subsequent  acquaintance  and  correspondence  while  at 
Andover  resulted  in  his  engagement  to  one  of  his  daugh- 
ters, Miss  Sarah  J.  Langstroth,  to  whom  he  was  married 
October  20th,  1831. 

T.  B.  to  Wait  Talcott,  Esq. 

"Cincinnati,  Jany.  8th,  1832. 

"  My  dear  Friend  : 

"  I  conclude  that  you  have  lately  been  entirely  at  a  loss 
when  you  attempted  to  imagine  wiiere  I  could  be  located. 
You  now  see  by  my  date  that  I  have  reached  the  great 
valley,  and  sit  down  to  write  you  from  its  lai'gest  city.  New 
Orleans  exce"pted. 

"  Do  you  wish  to  know  a  little  of  my  history  for  the  last 
few  months  ?  I  must  be  brief,  for  I  have  many  things  to 
say  in  a  few  words. 

"  I  finished  my  studies  at  Andover,  September  30th.  It 
was  trying  to  part  with  my  dear  classmates.  For  three 
years  we  had  studied,  walked,  worked,  recited,  and  prayed 
together.  With  some  I  had  shared  the  same  room  and 
bed.  With  many  I  had  formed  most  intimate  and  endear- 
ing friendships  ;  friendships  which  I  trust  will  travel  over 
the  grave  far  down  to  eternity.  It  was  hard  to  part  from 
these  friends.  Some  were  to  remain  in  New  England. 
Some,  with  me,  were  to  climb  the  Alleghanies,  and  labor 
and  die  in  the  great  valley.     Some,  a  few,  but  six  or  seven, 

*  Life  of  Rev.  Lyman  Beecher,  vol.  ii.  pp.  101,  106,  249. 


72  LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

were  to  go  far  hence  to  the  Gentiles,  and  to  plant  the  stand- 
ard of  Jesus  in  the  isles  of  the  sea  or  on  the  plains  of  Asia. 
From  many  I  was  to  part  for  life,  to  see  them  no  more 
until  life  should  be  past,  and  they  and  I  should  be  sum- 
moned, with  the  souls  to  whom  we  had  ministered,  to  the 
bar  of  God.  The  scene  is  over.  Our  class  is  scattered 
to  the  four  winds.  The  day  of  our  parting  is  one  that 
will  stand  out  in  bold  relief  in  the  history  of  our  life.  We 
shall  look  back  upon  it  with  tender  sadness,  until  the  hand 
of  death  shall  unbar  the  gates  of  eternity,  and  reassemble 
us,  as  we  hope,  in  the  upper  sanctuary. 

"From  Andover,  in  company  with  ten  others,  I  pro- 
ceeded to  New  York,  and  was  there  ordained  as  an  Evan- 
gelist. From  thence  I  proceeded  to  Trenton,  New  Jerse}'", 
and  was  married  to  Miss  Sarah  J.  Langstroth,  of  that 
city.  So  far,  I  had  never  relinquished  my  purpose  of 
visiting  Rome  and  Lcyden.  But,  after  consulting  with 
my  friends,  I  found  at  this  season,  the  last  of  October, 
that  it  would  be  very  unsafe  for  us  to  cross  the  Lakes, 
and  concluded  to  come  over  the  mountains  to  Pittsburg, 
and  so  down  the  Ohio.  We  started  from  Philadelphia,  in 
the  stage,  October  25th,  and  began  to  ascend  the  mount- 
ains the  2'7th.  The  third  day  of  our  journey  we  had 
climbed  the  highest  peak  between  Philadelphia  and  Pitts- 
burg. We  then  began  to  breathe  the  atmosphere  of  the 
great  valley.  As  I  looked  far  west  on  this  valley  and  re- 
flected that  in  some  part  of  it  my  ashes  would  probably 
rest,  as  I  thought  of  the  friends  I  had  left  behind  and  of 
the  uncertainty  before  me,  I  could  not  refrain  from  tears. 
October  29th,  we  reached  Pittsburg.  It  is  a  stirring  place, 
of  twenty-two  thousand  inhabitants.  We  were  three  days 
descending  the  Ohio  to  this  place,  five  hundred  and  fifty 
miles.  When  I  reached  Cincinnati,  the  Fourth  Presby- 
terian Church  was  vacant.  I  was  invited  to  preach.  The 
people  were  pleased,  and  have  given  me  an  invitation  to 


CORRESPONDENCE.  ^3 

stay  with  them.  I  shall  probably  remain.  I  board  with 
a  brother  clergyman,  pastor  of  the  Sixth  Church,  and  am 
pleasantly  situated. 

"Cincinnati  has  a  population  of  thirty  thousand.  My 
congregation  is  small,  but  increasing. 

"  May  the  blessing  of  God  make  you  perfect  in  all 
things.  "  Your  friend, 

"  T,  Brain  ERD." 

We  make  the  following  extracts  from  the  journal  of  Mr, 
Brainerd's  sister,  who  was  in  New  York  at  this  time. 

"  Oct.  Yth,  1831.  This  has  been  a  solemn  evening  to  me. 
I  have  attended  my  brother's  ordination.  The  sermon  was 
preached  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Cox,  from  Jer.  xxiii.  28:  'The 
prophet  that  hath  a  dream,  let  him  tell  a  dream  ;  and  he 
that  hath  my  word,  let  him  speak  my  word  faithfully.' 

"  Six  others  were  ordained  with  him,  mostly  young  men 
destined  for  the  Valley  of  the  Mississippi.  The  whole 
service  was  peculiarly  interesting,  and  closed  with  the 
missionary  hymn, — 

"'From  Greenland's  icy  mountains,'  etc." 

"  Oct.  20th.  This  evening  my  brother  is  to  be  married. 
Circumstances  prevent  my  attending  his  wedding." 

"  Oct.  22d.  To-day  1  have  parted  with  my  dear  brother 
Thomas,  and  heaven  only  knows  whether  I  am  to  see  him 
again  in  this  world.  He,  with  his  wife,  sailed  for  Phila- 
delphia, and  from  thence  they  will  proceed  to  Kentucky. 
He  could  not  visit  Oneida  and  Lewis  Counties,  which  he 
regretted  very  much.  He  spoke  of  father  and  his  brothers 
in  Leyden  with  much  tenderness,  and  said,  '  I  shall  in  all 
probability  never  see  father  again.' 

"From  an  upper  window  I  saw  the  steamboat  leave  the 
wharf,  and  gazed  upon  it  until  it  was  hid  from  view,  and 

7* 


•74  LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

neither  smoke  nor  flag  was  seen.     I  then  returned  to  my 
own  room  and  relieved  my  heart  with  a  flood  of  tears." 

It  must  be  remembered  that  "going  to  the  West"  thirty- 
eight  years  ago,  when  the  toilsome  journey  was  made  by 
slow  stages,  through  many  weeks,  was  a  very  different 
thing  from  being  whirled  over  an  iron  track  by  the  "  Light- 
ning Express  Train"  in  thirty  hours,  at  the  present  day. 
Our  home  missionaries  went  with  the  same  renunciation 
of  home  and  family  ties  as  the  foreign  missionaries  to 
Ceylon  and  Burmah. 

In  a  letter  to  her  brother,  some  weeks  later,  this  sister 
writes  :  "  I  have  been  earnestly  solicited  to  attend  the 
theater  while  I  have  been  in  New  York,  but,  thanks  to  the 
early  instructions  of  my  dear  parents,  who  taught  me  to 
despise  theatrical  performances,  I  have  had  no  inclination 
to  go.  A  gentleman  said,  '  If  you  would  be  persuaded  to 
go  this  evening  I  think  your  prejudices  would  all  vanish.' 
To  which  I  replied,  '  I  hope  never  to  be  less  prejudiced 
than  I  now  am.  If  I  have  never  attended  theaters,  I 
know  their  bad  effects  and  their  natural  tendency  to  dissi- 
pation on  those  who  have.' 

"And  shall  I  tell  you  what  the  wonderful  play  is  that 
has  drawn  thousands  together  this  season,  and  is  to-night 
repeated  for  ihe  fourteenth  time  ? 

Cinderella  ;  or,  The  Little  Glass  Slipper  ! ! 

"  We  should  think  this  ought  to  be  the  last  story  got  up 
to  entertain  rational  beings." 

On  the  blank  leaf  of  Mr.  Brainerd's  Andover  Bible  was 
recorded  the  following  "resolutions:" 

"At  a  meeting  of  the  Senior  class  in  Theological  Sem- 
inary at  Andover,  Sabbath  evening,  Sept.  25th,  1831, — 
unanimously 

"  Resolved,  1.  That  we  consider  ourselves  pledged  to 


CORRESPONDENCE.  -75 

assist  each  other  in  the  great  work  in  which  Ave  are  en- 
gag-ed ;  and  that  wo  will  strive  to  promote  each  other's 
reputation,  influence,  and  happiness  at  all  times  and  in  all 
places. 

"  2.  That  we  will  always  remember  each  other  in  prayer 
on  the  evening  of  the  monthly  concert." 

On  another  leaf  of  the  same  Bible  was  written  by 
Mr.  Brainerd,  many  years  afterward,  "  This  Bible  has 
gone  with  me  as  a  home  missionary  in  the  West;  was 
once  lost  and  carried  sixty  miles  from  me,  but  finally 
got  back ;  went  with  me  to  Ireland,  Scotland,  England, 
France,  Belgium,  and  Switzerland  ;  and  was  in  my  berth 
when  I  was  wrecked  in  the  Great  Britain,  in  Dundrum 
Bay,  Sept.  22d,  1846." 

The  same  Bible,  his  constant  traveling  companion,  was 
taken  from  his  valise  on  Thursday,  the  23d  of  August, 
1866, — the  day  after  his  sudden  death  at  Scranton,  Pa. 

From  Eev.  Beuel  Kimball. 

"Leyden,  April  30th,  1833. 

*  *  *  *  "  I  (\\([  expect  we  should  see  you 
again  in  Leyden  when  you  left  Andover,  but  we  have 
little  prospect  now  of  meeting  till  we  stand  before  the 
judgment-seat  of  Christ.  If  we  are  faithful  in  the  labors 
to  which  we  are  called,  our  meeting  then  will  be  a  happy 

*-\>-»ri  ^  Jji  ^  ^  J|i  "^  5|C  y^ 

"  You  are  young,  and  have  just  entered  the  war.  You 
are  placed  in  a  highly  responsible  station ;  may  God  give 
you  grace  to  be  humble,  faithful,  and  successful.  I  feel 
interested  in  your  welfare  as  well  as  your  future  useful- 
ness.    I  want  you  should  do  much  good. 

"  It  gives  me  no  satisfaction  to  hear  that  you  are  highly 
esteemed  among  men,  or  that  you  are  rich,  any  further 


76  LIFE    OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

than  you  improve  these  advantages  to  do  good.  But  the 
thought  that  you  are  truly  consecrated  to  the  service  of 
the  Saviour,  if  I  know  my  own  heart,  this  rejoices  me.  Be 
careful  to  keep  at  the  feet  of  Christ.  The  valley  of  humili- 
ation is  a  safe  place  for  the  Christian.  Never  think  you 
have  done  your  duty  till  you  have  done  all  you  can, 
'  Where  much  is  given  much  will  be  required.' 
"  May  Heaven's  blessing  rest  upon  you. 
"  With  much  affection, 

"  Your  friend  and  brother  in  the  gospel, 

"  Reuel  Kimball." 

Mr.  Brainerd's  brother,  Hezekiah,  in  closing  a  letter  to 
him,  about  this  time,  says :  "  You  are  remembered  with 
much  affection  by  all  your  friends  here,  and  by  none  more 
than  Mrs.  Reuel  Kimball.  She  cannot  speak  of  you  with- 
out tears.  She  says  she  loves  you  as  much  as  any  of  her 
children." 


CHAPTER    V. 

FIRST    PASTORATE    AT    CINCINNATI — EDITORSHIP — 
CORRESPONDENCE — 1831-5. 

Letter  to  Rev.  C.  E.  Babb.— Publislied  in  the  "Christian  Herald." 

"  Philadelphia,  Dec.  24th,  I860. 

"TN  the  fall  of  1831,  with  a  Home  Missionary's  cora- 
-i-  mission  in  my  pocket,  I  started  for  what  we  then 
called  the  '  Valley  of  the  Mississippi.'  I  had  not  the  least 
idea  of  the  place  where  I  should  find  a  resting-spot.  This 
was  to  be  determined  by  the  six  gentlemen  who  constituted 
the  Executive  Committee  of  the  Home  Missionary  Agency 
at  Cincinnati.  With  my  young  wife  I  reached  your  city 
about  the  25th  of  November,  and  was  hospitably  received 
and  entertained  for  two  weeks  in  the  family  of  my  vener- 
ated friend.  Judge  Burnet.  As  it  was  settled  by  the  Com- 
mittee, I  was  located  in  the  Fourth  Church,  in  the  eastern 
part  of  the  city.  Front  Street,  above  Deer  Creek,  was  un- 
paved,  and  I  had  to  make  my  way  to  the  church  in  the 
deep  mud,  in  which  ray  poor  wife  often  lost  her  overshoes. 
There  were  about  sixty  grog-shops  in  my  parish,  and  you 
may  readily  imagine  that  my  ministry  was  no  sinecure. 
With  the  enthusiasm  of  youth  I  entered  on  my  labors, 
and,  by  the  blessing  of  God,  soon  gathered  a  pleasant  little 
congregation,  and  a  Sabbath-school  of  three  hundred  chil- 
dren. Thirty  were  added  to  the  church  the  first  year.  I 
visited  over  and  over  every  family  from  Deer  Creek  to  Co- 
lumbia ;  and  by  sympathy  with  the  sick,  and  kindness  to 
the  poor,  gained  an  influence  in  the  entire  communitv.    In 


•78  LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

the  cholera -of  1832,  six  heads  of  families  died  within  eight 
doors  of  ray  dwelling.  I  sometimes  followed  to  the  grave 
three  persons  in  an  afternoon,  as  their  bodies  were  borne 
to  their  last  resting-place  on  drays.  In  short,  I  identified 
my  affections  and  sympathies  with  my  little  church  and  its 
peculiar  surroundings.  I  have  never  been  happier  since, 
and  have  no  doubt,  had  I  been  let  alone,  I  could  have 
labored  there  pleasantly  to  this  day.  The  affections  and 
prayers  of  my  little  flock  at  Fulton  have  followed  me,  I 
believe,  through  years  of  absence  and  change,  and  I  still 
regard  individuals  among  them  with  most  affectionate  in- 
terest. My  salary  was  six  hundred  dollars  for  pastoral 
labor,  with  one  hundred  dollars  added  for  my  services  as 
Clerk  of  the  Executive  Committee  of  the  Home  Mission- 
ary Agency.  I  not  only  lived  comfortably  on  this  sum, 
but  paid  out  of  it,  in  two  years,  three  hundred  and  fifty 
dollars,  which  I  owed  at  Andover  for  my  education, 
library,  etc.  If  any  of  your  people  think  this  could  be 
done  in  1860,  bid  them  remember  that  in  1832  I  paid  one 
dollar  and  fifty  cents  a  cord  for  wood,  eighty  dollars  for 
house  rent,  twenty-five  cents  for  turkeys,  six  cents  for 
chickens,  four  cents  a  dozen  for  eggs,  and  other  things  in 
proportion.  I  may  here  say,  as  a  pleasant  incident  of  my 
introduction  to  Cincinnati,  that  the  second  week  after  my 
arrival  I  was  waited  upon  by  Elnathan  Kemper,  the 
founder  of  Lane  Seminary,  and  invited  to  preach  on  a 
Wednesday  evening,  in  his  log-house,  on  Walnut  Hills. 
Starting  about  half-past  six  with  a  lantern,  I  waded  the 
stream  again  and  again,  through  Deer  Creek  Valley,  and 
struggled  through  the  deep  mud  beyond,  so  as  to  reach 
the  place  at  eight  o'chjck.  It  cost  me  a  fever  of  six  weeks, 
but  gained  for  me  the  friendship  of  Mr.  Kemper,  which 
terminated  only  with  his  life.  As  he  had  no  pew-rent  to 
pay  at  the  seminary,  where  he  worshiped,  he  sent  me 
fifteen  dollars  a  year  toward  my  salary  in  Fulton. 


EDITORSHIP.  79 

"  While  I  was  engaged  in  my  pastoral  work  I  occasion- 
ally wrote  an  article  for  the  Cincinnati  Journal,  and  this 
induced  the  Pastoral  Association,  in  the  winter  of  1832,  to 
ask  me  to  take  charge  of  the  paper  as  editor.  As  I  had 
no  desire  for  the  work,  no  experience  as  editor,  and  no 
wish  to  leave  my  field,  I  promptly  declined.  But  as  the 
paper  had  no  responsible  editor,  and  was  floundering  on  in 
constant  difficulties,  the  Pastoral  Association,  in  March, 
1833,  made  another  deliberate  onset  on  me,  to  persuade 
me  to  take  the  paper;  and  this  time,  very  reluctantly,  I 
yielded  to  their  urgency.  It  may  interest  the  present 
generation  of  Cincinnati  to  know  who  composed,  at  that 
time,  the  Pastoral  Association.  Of  those  who  met  once  a 
week  for  counsel,  and  who  managed  church  affairs  in  the 
New  School  branch  of  our  denomination,  few  now  remain 
in  your  city.  They  were  Lyman  Beecher,  James  and 
William  Gallagher,  Asa  Mahan,  Professors  Biggs,  Baxter, 
and  Stowe,  N.  S.  Folsom,  Dr.  Slack,  Lewis  D.  Howell, 
Thomas  Cole,  Daniel  C.  Blood,  Benjamin  Graves,  A.  F.  Mor- 
rison, A  Bullard,  J.  Spaulding,  and  though  last,  not  least  as 
a  manager,  F.  Y.  Vail.  Some  of  these  seldom  attended, 
but  their  places  were  occasionally  filled  up  by  the  pres- 
ence of  Father  John  Thompson,  Gideon  Blackburne,  and 
David  Nelson,  men  of  blessed  memory.  Such  were  those 
that  'put  me  into'  the  editorship  of  the  Cincinnati  Jour- 
nal, and  sustained  me  in  it  by  their  influence  and  their 
pens. 

"On  a  Thursday  morning,  in  the  spring  of  1833,  I  left 
my  house  in  Fulton,  and,  with  a  troubled  spirit,  went  to 
the  Journal  office,  southeast  corner  of  Main  and  Fifth 
Streets,  when  Corey  and  Fairbanks,  the  proprietors,  fur- 
nished me  with  a  batch  of  exchange  papers,  and  installed 
me  in  my  high  office.  I  was  twenty-eight  years  of  age 
only.  I  had  never  seen  a  newspaper  made  up,  and  of  the 
details  of  editing  was  profoundly  ignorant.    I  was  stunned 


80    LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,   D.D. 

by  the  cry  of  '  copy  !'  '  copy !'  and  thought  I  should  utterly 
fail  to  find  material  in  one  day  for  twelve  mortal  columns, 
to  fill  the  outside  pages.  When  I  came  to  the  inside  it  was 
worse  still,  and  I  was  heartily  sick  of  myself  and  the  whole 
concern  for  the  first  three  or  four  weeks.  But  I  was  on  a 
tread-mill,  and  must  keep  stepping,  until  practice  gave  me 
some  skill,  and  habit  made  my  work  tolerable. 

"The  Cincinnati  Journal  was  established,  I  think, 
about  1827  or  1828,  under  the  influence  of  Presbyterians 
of  the  Old  and  New  School  combined,  and  was  among  the 
first  religious  papers  published  in  the  great  valley.  Before 
1  assumed  the  editorial  charge,  it  had  been  subjected  to 
various  changes  under  the  pressure  of  poverty,  and  the 
rising  spirit  of  controversy  had  separated  it  from  the  con- 
fidence of  the  Old  School  bodies.  Its  subscription  list 
amounted  to  eleven  hundred,  scattered  over  the  wide  West. 
But  we  had  some  great  advantages.  The  publishers, 
Corey  and  Fairbanks,  were  intelligent,  enterprising,  gener- 
ous men.  Save  the  Catholic  Telegrajjh,  there  was  no 
other  religious  paper  published  in  Cincinnati.  Episco- 
palians, Methodists,  and  many  persons  of  no  religious  de- 
nomination, took  the  paper  freely,  so  that  in  a  year  and  a 
half  after  1  became  editor  the  subscription  list  had  risen  to 
over  two  thousand,  and  by  the  purchase  of  the  Luminary,  at 
Lexington,  we  at  one  time  circulated  four  thousand  copies. 
Mr.  Eli  Taylor,  who  purchased  the  establishment  from 
Corey  and  Fairbanks,  was  more  than  their  equal  in  energy, 
and  under  his  auspices  the  paper  had  a  wide  sweep  through 
the  West.  Our  publishers,  at  an  early  day,  got  up  also  a 
juvenile  publication  {the  firnt,  I  believe,  started  in  the 
great  valley),  called  the  Child's  Neiospax)er,  of  which  we 
circulated  three  thousand  copies  semi-monthly.  Of  the 
twelve  columns  of  the  first  number  of  this  paper,  I  wrote 
nine.  My  only  reward  for  this  extra  labor  was  the  grati- 
tude of  the  little  children  of  the  West,  and  the  hope  that  I 


EDITORSIITP.  81 

was  doing"  some  good.  This  little  paper  afterwavd  be- 
came the  Youth'' s  Mar/azine,  and  under  some  name  or  form 
may  be  still  alive. 

"  I  look  back  now  on  my  editorial  life  in  the  West  with 
mingled  emotions.  As  a  general  thing,  my  labors  were 
cheered  by  the  approbation  of  good  men,  and  my  office 
opened  the  way  to  friendships  which  can  only  end  with  life. 
No  man  ever  had  more  enthusiasm  for  the  West,  and  few 
have  ever  met  in  the  West  sweeter  tokens  of  love  and  con- 
fidence. I  failed  often  in  duty,  doubtless ;  but,  under  all 
the  opposition  I  received  from  sectarian  prejudice  and  ex- 
cited philantliropy  run  wild,  I  was  sustained  by  the  con- 
sciousness of  good  intentions,  and  the  sympathy  of  the 
best  of  friends. 

"In  June,  1835,  my  wife  died  of  cholera  one  day,  and 
her  cherished  domestic,  almost  an  adopted  daughter,  the 
next.  My  house  was  literally  left  desolate.  I  continued 
my  labors  until  May,  1836,  when,  being  elected  to  the 
General  Assembly,  I  hired  Henry  Ward  Beecher,  at  the 
rate  of  five  hundred  dollars  a  year,  to  conduct  the  paper 
till  my  return.  It  was  his  first  debut  in  public  life,  and 
he  sustained  his  responsibilities  well.  Tlie  world  has  heard 
of  him  since. 

"In  May,  1836,  the  Cincinnati  Journal,  with  all  the 
conflicts  of  opinion  around  and  all  the  new  papers  started, 
still  had  about  three  thousand  six  hundred  subscribers. 
One  thousand  two  hundred  of  these  Avere  in  Kentuckv, 
Western  Yirginia,  Tennessee,  and  Northern  Alabama. 
The  paper  has  always  been  antislavery  in  principle,  but 
always  fraternal  in  its  spirit  toward  the  South,  and  the 
conscience  of  the  South  sustained  it.  Twenty-five  years 
of  reflection  have  only  confirmed  me  in  the  conviction  that 
the  position  of  the  paper  was  Christian  and  wise. 

"  When  I  left  your  city  I  expected  to  return  to  ni}'  post. 
My  name  was  kept  on  the  paper  until  December  ;   Ijut, 

8 


82  LIFE   OF  REV.  THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

with  my  home  in  the  West  desolated  by  death,  with  en- 
feebled health,  and  new  eastern  social  ties,  I  was  induced 
to  give  up  editorial  life  and  return  to  pastoral  labor,  which, 
from  my  connection  with  Dr.  Beecher,  in  the  Second 
Church  of  Cincinnati,  I  had  never  entirely  suspended. 
For  near  twenty-five  years  1  have  been  the  happy  pastor 
of  a  faithful  and  affectionate  church  here  ;  but  it  will 
always  be  my  joy  that  I  was  allowed,  at  an  early  period 
and  in  an  humble  degree,  to  aid  in  forming  the  character 
of  the  millions  of  the  mighty  West,  and  to  secure  there 
friends  whose  remembrance  and  sympathy  have  refreshed 
my  heart  through  a  quarter  of  a  century. 

"  Your  friend, 

"  Thomas  Brainerd. 

"  p.  S. — I  ought  to  say,  in  justice  to  those  who  established 
and  sustained  the  Cincinnati  Journal  by  their  capital,  that 
all  the  sacrifices  of  this  description  were  borne  by  them. 
They  paid  me  one  thousand  dollars  a  year  simply  for  edit- 
ing the  paper.  "  T.  B." 

In  the  Cincinnati  Journal  of  March  8th,  1833,  it  was 
announced  by  the  i)roprietors  that  Rev.  Thomas  Brainerd, 
pastor  of  the  Fourth  Presbyterian  Church,  would  here- 
after be  editor  of  the  Journal. 

We  make  the  following  extracts  from  Mr.  Brainerd's 
introductory  article : 

"In  assuming  the  editorial  responsibilities  of  the  Cin- 
cinnati Journal,  the  undersigned  deems  it  his  duty  to  say 
a  few  words  to  its  patrons.  When  first  invited  by  the 
publishers  to  the  post  he  now  occupies,  he  gave  a  prompt 
negative.  Having  already  under  his  pastoral  care  a  small 
but  united,  growing,  and  much  loved  church,  he  felt  an 
extreme  reluctance  to  assume  new  and  oppressive  respon- 


EDITORSHIP.  83 

sibilities  in  another  field  of  labor.  But  four  months'  re- 
flection, and  more  especially  the  advice  of  friends,  to  whose 
counsel  he  gives  weight,  have  induced  him  to  review  and 
finally  reverse  his  first  decision.  The  adoption  of  the 
sentiment,  that  every  man  is  bound  to  expend  his  influence 
where  it  will  promote  the  greatest  good,  has  compelled 
him,  much  against  his  personal  predilections,  to  take  the 
editorship  of  this  paper. 

"  Of  his  ability  to  make  it  a  first-rate  family  paper,  it 
would  ill  become  him  to  speak.  On  this  point  the  suf- 
frages of  the  religious  public  will  finally  give  a  righteous 
decision. 

"  But  he  may  be  allowed  to  speak  frankly  of  the  prin- 
ciples on  which  it  will  be  conducted,  and  the  purposes  at 
which  it  will  aim.  Its  pacific  character  will  not  be  changed. 
While  its  influence  will  be  mainly  devoted  to  the  advance- 
ment of  morality  and  pure  religion,  through  the  agency  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church,  it  will  breathe  a  kind  spirit 
toward  other  evangelical  denominations.  Inasmuch  as 
the  true  church  of  Christ,  though  apparently  divided,  is 
essentially  one,  it  will  constantly  encourage  those  volun- 
tary associations  of  good  men,  who  without  sacrifice  of 
truth  or  conscience,  can  meet  on  common  ground  for  the 
promotion  of  benevolent  objects,  and  thus  give  unity  and 
strength  to  the  armies  of  Zion. 

"  In  conclusion,  the  undersigned  would  most  cordially 
invite  ministers  of  the  gospel,  and  others  who  feel  an  in- 
terest in  the  objects  designed  to  be  promoted  by  the 
Cincinnali  Journal,  to  make  it  a  medium  of  transmitting 
their  best  thoughts  to  the  religious  public.  He  need  not 
remind  them  that  so  long  as  Christian  philanthropy  brands 
with  the  odious  name  of  miser,  the  being  who  hoards  up 
gold  to  charm  his  jjricate  eye,  she  will  not  exonerate  from 
blame  those  reflecting,  talented  men  who  bury  in  their  own 


84    LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

bosoms,  or  limit  to  their  own  neighborhood,  thoiightii 
which,  properly  arranged  and  placed  on  the  wings  of  the 
press,  would  enlighten  and  bless  half  a  Avorld. 

"  Thomas  Brainerd." 

Although  Avritten  at  a  later  period,  this  narrativ^e  is  Mr, 
Brainerd's  own  account  of  his  first  experience  as  a  pastor 
and  editor.  The  kind,  maternal  interest  shown  to  him  by 
Mrs.  Judge  Burnet,  was  never  withdrawn  during  his  life. 
She  took  him  and  his  wife  to  her  house  until  they  could 
procure  suitable  accommodations  elsewhere,  and  when 
they  commenced  housekeeping,  she  contributed  many  lux- 
uries to  their  living  which  would  have  been  entirely  be- 
3"ond  the  reach  of  their  limited  means.  They  Avere  sup- 
plied five  3'ears  with  an  abundance  of  excellent  milk  and 
cream,  by  her  considerate  kindness ;  and  Judge  Burnet 
persuaded  Mr.  Brainerd  to  sell  his  horse,  assuring  him  that 
one  of  his  own  fine  horses  should  always  be  at  his  service. 
The  religious  interests  of  the  newly  settled  Western  States 
demanded  frequent  meetings  of  Presbytery,  and  appoint- 
ments for  preaching  were  widely  separated,  so  that  a 
horse  was  a  necessary  accompaniment  to  the  action  of 
ever}"  public  man. 

Exposures,  by  da}"  and  night  travel,  to  the  influences  of 
a  new  climate  brought  on  a  serious  attack  of  typhoid  fever 
during  the  first  winter  of  Mr.  Brainerd's  residence  in  Ohio. 
After  several  weeks'  illness,  when  he  seemed  to  be  sink- 
ing, Mrs.  Judge  Burnet  took  charge  of  him,  and  by  the 
aid  of  good  nursing,  and  some  of  Judge  Burnet's  good 
old  wine,  he  finally  rallied.  His  wife  was  sick  with  fever 
at  the  same  time,  but  less  seriously,  and  recovered  more 
rapidly. 

Mr.  Brainerd  threw  his  whole  heart  into  whatever  en- 
gaged his  attention.  He  identified  his  interests  with  his 
little  church  at  Fulton,  and  gave  all  his  energies  to  its  en- 


CORRESPONDENCE.  85 

largement.  His  labors  were  attended  with  a  good  degree 
of  success,  and  many  pleasant  friendships  originating  in 
his  first  church,  were  perpetuated  through  life. 

Inquiring  after  some  of  his  Sabbath-school  boys,  in  his 
later  visits  to  Cincinnati,  he  found  one  attorney-general 
in  a  neighboring  county  of  Kentucky,  while  others  had  be- 
come wealthy  and  prosperous  merchants  and  mechanics. 
The  ingenious  inventors  and  manufacturers  of  the  steam 
fire-engine,  now  so  universally  relied  upon,  were  two 
orphan  boys  of  his  first  Sabbath-school, — the  Latta 
brothers. 

Six  years  after  bis  settlement  in  Philadelphia,  Mr. 
Brainerd  received  a  letter  from  one  of  his  old  members 
in  the  Fourth  Church,  asking  aid  for  an  improvement  in 
their  church  building.     He  says : 

"  No  matter  how  small  the  donation,  it  could  come  from 
no  source  where  it  would  be  received  with  such  grateful 
emotions  as  through  the  agency  of  our  beloved  pastor, 
whose  memory  still  lives  in  our  prayer-meetings  as  vividly 
as  though  he  were  among  us  as  in  days  gone  by,  and  it 
will  always  be  written  upon  our  hearts  in  connection  with 
our  highest  hopes  and  interests. 

"A  few  evenings  since  a  man  arose  in  our  pulpit,  and, 
after  taking  his  text,  stated  that  he  owed  his  conversion 
to  a  sermon  preached  from  the  same  text  by  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Brainerd.  Then,  as  we  lifted  our  hearts  to  God  in  thanks- 
giving, we  felt  under  renewed  obligations  to  continue  our 
prayers,  that  the  blessing  of  God  might  still  attend  the 
labors  of  one  so  dear  to  our  hearts,  and  whose  labors  have 
been  to  us  as  '  seed  sown  in  good  ground.' 

"Your  brother  in  Christ  (the  tie  rendered  doubly  dear 
by  our  long  acquaintance), 

"A.  A.  Yance." 
8* 


86    LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

Another  note,  dated  March  21st,  1861,  was  received 
from  Laurel,  Indiana : 

"  Dear  Sir: 

"  Do  you  remember  the  little  orphan  girl  you  took  in 
your  study,  a  small  room  in  the  brick  house  in  Fulton,  the 
night,  before  you  removed  to  Cincinnati,  there  to  pray  for 
and  with  her?  And  while  praying,  you  laid  your  hand 
on  her  head,  asking  God  to  bless  and  watch  over  her  lonely 
state  and  make  her  a  useful  woman.  The  scene  in  your 
study  has  been  treasured  in  my  heart  as  one  of  the  dear- 
est and  almost  the  only  bright  one  of  my  lonely  child- 

r|r\r\/j  'K  'K  ^  ¥  ^K  -r^  5?*  'K 

"  I  am  now  married,  and  surrounded  by  all  the  comforts 
of  life.  I  should  like  very  much  to  see  you,  and  hear 
again  your  kind  voice.  I  think  you  would  enjoy  a  visit 
among  lis,  and  should  you  come,  remember  my  house 
must  be  your  home." 

"E.  J.  J." 

Many  such  tokens  of  affectionate  remembrance  came  to 
Mr.  Braincrd  in  after-years;  the  best  earthly  reward  a 
faithful  minister  can  receive. 

The  following  sketch  was  furnished  by  Dr.  J.  W.  Dun- 
ham, a  member  of  the  Fourth  Ciuirch,  and  I  think  an 
elder,  during  Mr.  Brainerd's  short  ministry  there: 

"  Mr.  Brainerd  came  West  with  a  number  of  classmates, 
young  ministers  from  Andover  Theological  Seminary,  not 
knowing  where  the  Lord  would  give  him  a  field  to  culti- 
vate. The  Fourth  Church  was  without  a  pastor  at  that 
time,  and  he  was  prevailed  upon  to  labor  with  them.  Jt 
was  a  small  and  feeble  church,  located  in  the  eastern  part 
of  the  cit\',  and  composed  mainly  of  laboring  men  with 
their  families.  His  salary  was  small,  and  yet  I  apprehend 
at  no  period  of  his  laborious  life  did  he  put  forth  more 


LECTURES   ON  MORMON  ISM.  8T 

physical  and  mental  labor  than  while  here.  His  zeal  gave 
evidence  that  he  entered  the  ministry,  not  for  the  'loaves 
and  fishes,'  but  for  the  honor  of  his  Master,  and  the  good 
of  souls. 

"  Seldom  has  a  young  minister  become  more  popular  as 
a  preacher,  or  more  dearly  beloved  by  his  people.  His 
constant  aim  was  to  interest  and  instruct  them. 

"At  one  time  he  gave  notice  that  on  the  following  Sab- 
bath he  would  preach  a  sermon  to  young  men,  from  the 
words,  '  Run,  speak  to  this  young  man.'  When  the  hour 
for  service  arrived  the  house  Avas  filled  with  attentive 
hearers,  and  many  remembered  that  occasion  to  the  end  of 
life. 

"At  this  time  the  Mormons  commenced  their  work  of 
proselyting,  and  for  some  weeks  labored  with  a  zeal  worthy 
a  better  cause.  They  succeeded  in  making  a  number  of 
converts  within  the  bounds  of  Mr.  Brainerd's  parish,  but 
without  unsettling  the  faith  of  any  of  his  people. 

"  Mr.  Brainerd  procured  a  copy  of  the  Mormon  Bible, 
and,  after  making  himself  familiar  with  its  inconsistencies, 
gave  notice  that  he  would  deliver  a  course  of  lectures  on 
Mormonism.  By  the  time  he  concluded  his  lectures  but 
little  was  heard  in  that  region  of  Mormonism." 

One  of  the  anecdotes  connected  with  these  lectures, 
which  Mr.  Brainerd  was  fond  of  telling,  was  this:  In  the 
Mormon  book  allusion  is  made  to  the  mariner's  compass 
long  before  the  power  of  the  magnet  was  discovered.  Mr. 
Brainerd  pointed  out  this  anachronism.  A  few  days  after, 
a  man  brought  the  Bible  to  him,  and  read  with  an  air  of 
great  triumph  the  verse  in  the  twenty-eighth  chapter  of 
Acts,  where,  after  Paul's  shipwreck,  it  is  written :  "  We 
fetched  a  compass  and  came  to  Rhegium."  To  his  mind 
this  was  conclusive  evidence  that  Paul  had  the  benefit  of 
the  mariner's  compass  in  his  nautical  experience. 


88  LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

A  distiller  in  Cincinnati,  named  Absalom  Death,  placed 
over  the  door  of  his  manufactory  the  words:  "Absalom 
Death — Rectified  Whisky."  A  lady  read  the  sign  care- 
lessly, "  Abmhite  Death — Rectified  Whisky;"  and  after 
reaching  her  home  commented  upon  this  singular  adver- 
tisement.    In  his  paper  of  that  week  Mr.  Brainerd  said, 

"Mrs. ,  passing  down  Main  Street,  noticed  the  sign, 

^Absolute  Death — Bectijied  Whisky,''  and  was  a  good  deal 
surprised  that  a  man  should  put  the  effects  of  his  traffic  so 
prominently  before  the  eyes  of  his  customers."  As  the 
item  created  some  talk  and  merriment,  Mr.  Brainerd  soon 
learned  that  Mr.  Death  was  very  indignant,  and  threatened 
to  whip  the  editor.  One  morning,  while  engaged  at  his 
desk  in  the  office,  one  of  the  clerks  told  him  a  man  wished 
to  see  him  in  the  front  room.  Mr.  Brainerd  came  forward, 
and  met  there  a  man  of  great  size,  six  feet  four  inches  high 
and  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  pounds  weight.  He  bowed 
to  the  stranger,  who  opened  the  campaign  by  saying  in  a 
gruff  voice,  ''My  name  is  Death!''  The  solemnity  of  the 
announcement,  the  name,  and  the  story  connected  with  it, 
struck  Mr.  Brainerd  as  irresistibly  ludicrous.  With  an 
effort  to  preserve  his  gravity,  he  replied,  "  You  have  got 
a  very  queer  name,  Mr.  Death;"  and" was  then  unable 
longer  to  repress  his  laughter,  in  which  the  by-standers, 
and  finally  his  really  good  natured  visitor,  heartily  joined. 
This  ended  the  whole  thing.  Mr.  Death  recognized  the 
affair  as  a  joke,  and  remained  very  friendly  toward  Mr. 
Brainerd  ever  after.  And  he  soon  gave  up  his  traffic  in 
alcohol.  Whether  the  "  absolute  death"  was  the  agent  in 
this  result  or  not,  he  never  confessed. 

Professor  O.  M.  Mitchell,  the  astronomer,  settled  in 
Cincinnati  about  the  same  time  that  Mr.  Brainerd  did. 
They  were  very  nearly  the  same  age,  similar  in  many 
points  of  character,  and  naturally  sympathized  in  each 
other's  circumstances.     When  Mr.  Brainerd  preached  in  a 


AT  A    rRESBYTERTAN  CAMr-MEETING.  89 

log-  school-house,  holding  a  tallow  candle  in  one  hand,  1)V 
which  to  read  the  hymns  and  the  text  (he  was  iinincuni- 
hercd  Avith  manuscript  in  those  daj's),  O.  M.  Mitchell  Avas 
liis  frequent  auditor.  On  other  evening-s  Mr.  Brainerd 
would  rally  lialf  a  dozen  young  friends  to  "go  and  hear 
Mitchell  lecture  on  astronomy;"  and  find  him  in  some  ob- 
scure building,  with  just  light  enough  to  render  "darkness 
visible  ;"  but  from  out  of  that  darkness  flashed  the  glorious 
lights  of  the  firmament  all  the  more  brilliantly,  as  the  gifted 
young  astronomer  handled  them  with  the  familiarity  of 
playthings. 

Going  to  hear  him  again  twenty-five  A^ears  after,  in  one 
of  the  largest  and  best  lighted  rooms  in  Philadelphia, 
Jayne's  Hall,  Professor  Mitchell,  at  the  close  of  his 
lecture,  threw  his  arms  around  his  old  friend,  giving  him 
a  fraternal  hug  in  memory  of  their  early  experience  to- 
gether. The  next  Sabbath  found  Professor  Mitchell  an 
interested  listener  in  Old  Pine  Street  Church  ;  and  after 
service  he  accompanied  Dr.  Brainerd  home,  Avhen  the  tAvo 
friends  "compared  notes,"  from  the  early  dawn  of  their 
small  beginnings  to  the  high  noon  which  both  had  reached 
in  their  respective  professions. 

The  following  interesting  narrative  from  the  Rev.  Wil- 
liam M.  Cheever,  of  Terre  Haute,  Indiana,  Avill  be  read 
Avith  interest,  especially  by  those  Avhose  memory  recalls 
similar  scenes.  Mr.  Brainerd's  OAvn  recollection  of  these 
events  Avas  most  vivid  and  enthusiastic. 


Dr.  Brainerd  at  a  Presbyterian  Camp-meeting  in  Indiana,  Aug.  1832. 

"  My  first  acquaintance  Avith  Dr.  Brainerd  Avas  at  a 
Presbyterian  camp-meeting,  near  Paris,  Jennings  County, 
Indiana,  some  time  during  the  latter  part  of  August,  1832. 
It  Avas  a  mere  sight-acquaintance,  for  I  never  spoke  to  him 
until  many  years  after  I  met  him  in  the  General  Assembly; 


90  LIFE   OF  REV.  THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

yet,  connected  as  it  was  with  the  great  event  of  my  life, 
tliis  first  meeting  with  liim  was  stereotyped  upon  my 
soul. 

''The  decade  from  1830  to  1840  is  memorable  in  the 
history  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  the  West — of  Indi- 
ana specially — as  the  era  of  camp-meetings.  How  fra- 
grant to  all  of  us,  who  were  then  boys,  are  the  memories 
that  cluster  about  Pisgah,  Mount  Tabor,  Salem,  Logans- 
port,  and  Paris!  Those  who  are  not  familiar  with  them 
can  have  but  little  conception  of  the  wonderful  interest 
which  gathered  about  these  annual  feasts  more  than  thirty 
3'^ears  ago,  and  the  moral  power  which  they  exerted.  No 
old  Hebrew  ever  went  up  with  his  household  to  the  feast 
of  Tabernacles  with  more  joy  than  did  our  good  Pres- 
byterian families  annually  rally  in  August  or  September, 
to  Pisgah  and  Mount  Tabor,  and  enter  upon  these  great 
feasts  of  in-gathering.  Conceding  that  something  must 
be  set  down  to  the  score  of  educational  prepossession  and 
a  youthful  imagination,  I  am  still,  after  thirty  years  have 
rolled  by,  convinced  that  those  meetings  were  as  orderly, 
as  solemn  and  effective  for  good,  as  any  revival  meetings 
of  later  date  it  has  been  my  privilege  to  attend.  Scattered 
and  feeble  as  were  the  Presbyterian  congregations  of  the 
State  at  that  time,  there  seemed  to  be  a  necessity  for  such 
convocations.  Brethren  in  the  ministry  too  far  apart  to 
exchange,  and  churches  isolated  by  distance — as  to  per- 
sonal Christian  fellou'ship — hailed  with  joy  the  time  for 
the  fall  camp-meetings.  What  greetings  of  old  friends, 
formerly  members  of  the  same  church,  but  who  had  not 
met  since  taking  up  the  emigrant's  line  of  march  from  the 
older  States,  many  years  ago!  What  forming  of  new 
friendships, — what  consecration  of  households, — what  re- 
turn of  prodigals  to  their  Father's  house  !  In  the  breasts 
of  the  old  fathers  and  mothers  of  our  Presbyterian  Israel 
what  pleasant  thoughts  arise  at  the  mere  mention  of  the 


AT  A   PRESBYTERIAN  CAMP-MEETING.  91 

names  of  such  camp-meeting  veterans  as  Dickey,  Sneed, 
Cressy,  Martin,  Kittridge,  McFerson,  Crowe,  Lowry, 
Johnston,  Brainerd,  Clelland,  and  a  host  of  others ! 

"  It  Avas  at  one  of  these  great  meetings,  held  near  Paris, 
Indiana,  in  August,  1832,  as  I  remarked  before,  that  I  first 
saw  Dr.  Brainerd.  My  father,  who  was  a  great  admirer 
of  the  heroic  David  Brainerd,  hearing  that  a  young  minis- 
ter from  Cincinnati,  of  the  same  name,  was  to  be  present, 
went  with  all  the  household  from  South  Hanover,  some 
fifteen  miles,  to  attend  the  meeting.  A  site  for  the  camp- 
meeting  is  usually  selected  for  its  slope,  its  shade,  and  es- 
pecially its  springs  or  wells.  Like  Enon,  near  to  Salem, 
it  should  have  much  water — many  springs — for  both  man 
and  beast.  A  shady  place  is  chosen,  comprising  an  area 
of  an  acre  or  two,  gently  declining  toward  the  'minister's 
stand,'  and  surrounded  by  capacious  canvas  tents,  or,  if  it 
be  intended  for  a  permanent  camp-meeting  ground,  by 
rough  log-cabins  capable  of  containing  the  family  and  an 
unlimited  number  of  guests.  I  have  known  from  forty  to 
seventy-five  persons  comfortably  lodged  at  night  on  the 
straw  within  one  of  these  wooden  booths.  On  the  outer 
side  of  these  tents  are  all  the  arrangements  for  cooking  and 
eating.  An  abundance  of  provisions,  already  prepared  for 
the  table,  is  brought  with  each  tent-holder,  so  that  the  labor 
of  supplying  the  ordinary  temporal  wants  of  the  crowd  of 
guests  is  made  as  light  as  possible, — all  the  family  thus 
having  opportunity  to  give  undivided  attention  to  the  re- 
ligious services  Avhich  they  have  come  so  far  to  enjoy. 
The  area  within  the  inclosure  is  furnished  Avith  seats, 
usually  rough  boards  laid  across  logs,  capable  of  holding 
from  one  to  two  thousand  people.  At  night,  when  the 
grounds  are  lit  up  with  torches,  on  firmly  erected  posts  at 
convenient  distances  through  the  camp,  or,  as  upon  the 
occasion  to  which  special  allusion  is  now  made,  by  innu- 
merable candles  fastened  to  the  trees,  or  hung  from  the 


92  LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

branches,  the  whole  scene  is  wildly  picturesque.  At  break 
of  da}^,  a  rousing  blast  from  the  trumpet  wakes  up  the  en- 
campment. In  a  few  minutes  a  second  sig-nal  announces 
that  the  sunrise  prayer-meeting  is  about  to  begin.  Some 
manly  voice  at  the  'preacher's  stand'  strikes  up  'Come, 
thou  fount  of  every  blessing,'  to  the  tune  of  Nettleton,  the 
only  tune  to  which  those  words  should  ever  be  sung.  Out 
from  the  numerous  tents  the  people,  3'oung  and  old,  come 
thronging,  and  gather  close  about  the  stand,  and  in  song, 
prayer  and  exhortation  thus  forty  minutes  are  spent  in 
fitting  preparation  for  the  services  of  the  day.  Seldom  since 
have  I  so  thoroughly  enjo3'ed  an  early  morning  prayer- 
meeting.  Then  comes  breakfast.  After  that  a  second 
prayer-meeting.  Then,  at  nine  o'clock,  preaching,  and 
again  at  eleven.  Dinner  is  now  served.  At  three  p.m., 
preaching;  then  inquiry  meetings;  social  conference,  or 
tent  prayer-meetings,  fill  up  the  time  until  the  evening  re- 
past, and  the  hour  for  the  night  service  arrives.  It  was  about 
the  beginning  of  this  evening  service  that  we  came  within 
hearing  and  sight  of  the  cainp.  The  rising  and  swelling 
on  the  air  of  that  distant  harmony,  from  a  great  multitude 
devoutly  praising  God,  impressed  me  strangely.  I  now 
recall  that  peculiar  thrill  which  always  pervaded  me  when- 
ever I  listened  to  the  old  hearty,  devout,  Presbyterian 
camp-meeting  singing.  I  have  never  since  been  so  car- 
ried away  and  absorbed  by  any  '  service  of  song  in  the 
house  of  the  Lord.'  Away  out,  for  nearly  a  mile,  on  that 
quiet  night,  came  the  grand  hymn  of  praise  to  meet  us  as 
we  ascended  the  little  hill  and  silently  took  a  panoramic 
view  of  the  imposing  scene. 

"  The  day  after  our  arrival  was  one  memorable  in  my 
life.  The  scenes  of  the  previous  evening  had  made  me 
unusually  thoughtful.  The  ordinary  morning  services 
were  concluded,  and  a  short  discourse  had  been  preached 
at  nine  o'clock,  to  which  I  do  not  remember  that  I  gave  any 


AT  A   rRESBYTERIAN   CAMP-MEETING.  93 

special  attention.  After  a  few  moments'  recess,  the  signal 
for  resuming  public  worship  was  again  given  by  the  spirited 
singing  of  old  Lennox,  '  Blow  ye  tiie  trumpet,  blow  I'  The 
people  began  to  crowd  forward,  until  the  great  area  Avas 
quite  packed.  Before  the  h3'mn  was  ended  I  had  leisurely 
strolled  down  the  middle  aisle,  looking  in  vain  for  a  seat, 
until  arrested,  within  twenty  feet  of  tlie  'stand,'  by  a  sweet 
but  to  me  strange  voice  leading  the  congregation  in  prayer. 
'AVho  was  that  ?' was  the  whispered  inquiry  about  me. 
'A  Mr.  Brainerd,  of  Cincinnati,'  was  the  reply.  Then  I 
understood  he  was  the  young  man  whom  my  father  wished 
to  bear.  At  once  I  became  interested  in  him.  My  recol- 
lection of  his  personal  appearance,  at  that  time,  is  not 
specially  vivid,  yet  I  can  even  now  recall  his  kind,  bright, 
and  enthusiastic  look,  and  his  very  pleasant  and  persuasive 
voice.  He  had  a  directness  and  earnestness  of  manner 
that,  from  the  announcement  of  his  text  to  the  close  of  the 
sermon,  held  me,  standing  by  a  tree  during  its  entire  de- 
livery, with  unflagging  attention.  It  was,  I  think,  his  ap- 
pearance and  voice  that  first  arrested  me,  but  when  he 
announced  his  text,  'And  they  made  light  of  it,'  I  was 
completely  absorbed.  As  to  his  method  of  treating  the 
subject,  my  memory  is  entirely  at  fault.  I  cannot  enu- 
merate the  points  specially  made.  All  that  I  remen)ber  is 
the  beaming  countenance,  the  loving  eye  fixed  upon  me, 
as  I  stood  directly  before  him,  and  the  tremendous  convic- 
tion all  the  time  surging  through  my  soul  that  /was  the 
one  who  had  deliberately  made  light  of  the  great  salva- 
tion !  So  deeply  was  I  moved  with  a  sense  of  my  own 
personal  guilt  that  I  cannot  state  what  may  have  been  the 
general  eliect  of  the  discourse,  only  I  had  the  impression 
that  there  was  much  weeping,  and  even  audible  sobbing, 
around  me.  The  services  closed,  and,  in  accordance  with 
an  invitation  given  to  all  who  were  awakened  to  seek  some 
secret  place  of  praj^er  without  delay,  I  went  into  the  spa- 

9 


94  LIFE   OF  REV.  THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

cions  grove,  in  the  rear  of  the  encampment,  that  I  might 
find  some  spot  where  I  could  be  alone  and  pour  out  my 
troubled  soul  to  God.  But  here  I  came  upon  one,  and 
there  upon  another,  kneeling  in  prayer,  and  from  every 
direction  there  came  to  my  ear  the  low  voices  of  supplica- 
tion. The  whole  grove  was  a  Bethel.  I  see  now,  in  my 
mind,  the  place,  the  very  log  by  the  side  of  which  I  cast 
myself,  and  with  the  last  lines  of  the  hymn  sung  at  the 
close  of  Mr.  Brainerd's  sermon  ringing  in  my  ear, — 

"'Venture  on  Him,  venture  wholly, 
Let  no  other  trust  intrude,  etc.,' 

I  endeavored  to  take  hold  of  my  Saviour's  hand.  I  ven- 
tured. 

"  Though  it  was  many  years  after  before  I  again  saw  dear 
Brother  Brainerd,  that  one  scene  was  so  distinctly  photo- 
graphed on  my  heart  that  I  never  could  forget  him. 

"  Well,  my  brother  !  thou  hast  already  taken  possession 
of  thy  crown  and  kingdom.  May  it  be  my  privilege  and 
joy  to  join  with  you  in  heavenly  ascriptions  of  praise  to 
Ilim  who  sits  upon  the  throne  and  to  the  Lamb  forever  ! 

"  Wm.  M.  Cheever." 

Rev.  Wm.  M.  Cheever  has  been  an  earnest  and  suc- 
cessful preacher  in  the  West  for  more  than  a  quarter  of  a 
century,  and  is  another  whom  Mr.  Brainerd  can  welcome 
as  a  son  in  the  gospel. 

The  rescue  of  these  stirring  incidents  from  oblivion  is 
of  essential  service  to  the  history  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  and  is  due  to  those  pioneer  men  who  subdued  the 
moral  "  wilderness"  in  those  early  days,  and  "  stopped  the 
mouths  of  lions." 

We  are  also  permitted  to  publish  part  of  a  letter  from 
Rev.  J.  H.  Johnson,  of  Crawfordsville,  Indiana,  who  was 
pastor  of  the  Presbyterian  church  at  Madison,  Indiana, 


MEETING  IN  31  A  D ISO N,  IND.  95 

near  the  camp-meeting'  ground,  at  the  time  mentioned  in 
tlie  foregoing  narrative, — 1832. 

Speaking  of  that  event,  Mr.  Johnson  says: 

"Brother  Brainerd  preached  several  times  during  the 
meeting.  Of  one  sermon  I  have  a  very  distinct  recollec- 
tion, and  of  the  text  from  which  it  was  preached.  It  was 
the  passage  in  Rom.  viii.  7,  '  The  carnal  mind  is  enmity 
against  God.'  He  dwelt  particularly  on  the  force  of  the 
words  rendered  'carnal  mind  ;'  Hhe  minding  of  the  Jiesh.^ 
It  was  a  sermon  of  much  interest  and  power.  Great  in- 
terest was  manifested  during  the  meeting,  and  much  good 
resulted  from  it ;  but  I  cannot  call  to  mind  the  number  of 
hopeful  conversions  that  occurred. 

"  He  was  once  with  us  at  Madison,  three  years  later,  in 
1835,  in  the  month  of  June.  The  anniversary  meetings  of 
a  number  of  benevolent  societies  were  appointed  to  be  held 
there  at  that  time,  and  many  brethren  from  abroad  had 
assembled  to  attend  upon  them.  A  short  time,  however, 
before  the  time  appointed  for  these,  the  cholera  commenced 
its  ravages  in  Madison,  and  was  still  prevailing  when  the 
brethren  arrived.  It  was  judged  inexpedient,  of  course, 
to  attempt  to  hold  the  meetings,  and  those  from  abroad  at 
once  dispersed.  While  Brother  Brainerd  was  still  in  town, 
waiting  for  a  boat,  the  people  were  called  together,  and  he 
preached  a  very  appropriate  and  impressive  discourse." 

The  following  reminiscence  of  the  Rev.  William  W. 
Hall,  M.D.,  Editor  of  the  Journal  of  Health,  was  first 
published  in  the  Preahytery  Beporte?;  and  afterward  in 
the  Ne^v  York  Evangeliat,  of  December,  1858. 

Dr.  Hall  was  born  in  Kentucky,  studied  for  the  min- 
istry, and  was  licensed  to  preach  in  1832.  He  was  then 
engaged  one  year  in  St.  Charles,  Missouri. 

Returning  to  Kentucky  in  1833,  he  says :  "  I  came  to  a 


96    LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

place  where  tlie  I'oad  forked :  one  toward  home,  the  other 
toward  Lexington.  Not  having  any  choice,  I  laid  the 
reins  on  the  horse's  neck,  and  he  turned  toward  Lexing- 
ton, where  I  found  the  people  were  deeply  interested  in 
religious  things,  for  Brainerd  and  Bullard  and  Spaulding 
and  Little  were  there  jireaching,  as  none  could  preach  but 
they — good  and  true  men  all.  I  was  called  on  suddenly 
and  most  unexpectedly  to  preach.  I  had  no  notes,  and 
could  think  of  only  one  text  which  seemed  appropriate, 
and,  for  the  life  of  me,  I  could  not  find  it, — '  For  the  night 
Cometh  in  which  no  man  can  work.'  My  failure  to  give 
the  place  of  the  text,  and  my  youthful  appearance,  made 
an  impression ;  and  I  labored  and  spoke  two  or  three 
times  a  day,  with  those  glorious  men,  for  weeks ;  and  re- 
mained laboring  in  Lexington  some  four  years. 

"During  this  time,  thinking  I  might  be  a  missionary 
abroad,  and  having  in  view  Dr.  Nelson's  great  idea  of  sus- 
taining myself,  I  entered  the  Transylvania  Medical  School, 
and  graduated.  Thinking  it  better  to  clinch  my  medical 
knowledge  and  practice,  I  went  directly  to  the  sickliest 
regions  of  the  Union,  the  bayous  of  Louisiana,  where  I 
practiced  and  preached  day  and  night,  all  the  summer, 
Avinter,  and  fall. 

"Having,  since  1837,  preached  without  pay,  it  occurred 
to  me  to  brush  up  my  medical  knowledge  and  secure  it  in 
that  way.  I  at  once  set  about  it,  and  went  to  Europe  to 
advance  myself  in  medical  knowledge.         *         *         * 

"I  should  feel  more  at  home  in  the  pulpit,  if  I  could  be 
there  independently  of  support  out  of  myself. 

"Many  clergymen  who  had  given  up  preaching  are 
now  in  full  discharge  of  ministerial  duty,  as  pastors, 
professors,  etc.,  through  my  medical  instrumentality. 
Through  my  books  and  Journal  I  have  an  influence 
throughout  the  country.  A  single  profession  requires  the 
most  entire  devotion  to  accomplish  much." 


CHAPTER    XL 

ECCLESIASTICAL    CONTROVERSIES. 

IX  giving  extracts  from  letters  and  anecdotes  of  the 
stormy  period  when  the  elements  of  disunion  rent  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  culminating  in  its  division  in  1838, 
we  shall  occupy  only  the  position  of  a  narrator. 

Mr.  Brainerd  was  a  young  man  of  twenty-eight  when 
Dr.  Beecher  came  to  Cincinnati.  He  had  received  a  New- 
England  education  ;  had  been  accustomed  to  regard  Dr. 
Beecher  with  deep  reverence  and  affection,  which  naturally 
grew  into  warm  attachment  when  brought  into  associa- 
tion with  "  his  great  heart  and  giant  intellect." 

No  one  ever  ventured  to  doubt  Mr.  Brainerd's  ortho- 
doxy, or  soundness  in  Calvinistic  doctrine  and  Presby- 
terial  order.  On  these  points  he  was  invulneraljle, — a 
"Hebrew  of  the  Hebrews."  He  was  assailed  solely  on 
the  ground  of  his  social  affinities.  The  charges  against 
him  were  the  same  as  those  made  to  one  of  the  apostles : 
"  Surely  thou  art  one  of  them,  and  thy  speech  agreeth 
thereto." 

His  love  for  Dr.  Beecher  led  him  to  earnest  sympathy 
in  his  trials  and  confliats  ;  and  he  rejoiced  in  the  privilege 
of  standing  by  him  through  the  warfare  of  partisan  jeal- 
ousy and  the  fires  of  persecution  which  surrounded  him. 

Soon  after  Dr.  Beecher's  arrival  in  Cincinnati,  Mr.  Brai- 
nerd received  a  letter  from  the  Rev.  Samuel  H.  Archer, 
dated  Salem,  Mass.,  December  5th,  1832,  in  which  he 
says : 

9*  (97) 


98    LTFE   OF  REV.  THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

"  You  have  our  good  Dr.  Beecber  among  you.  We 
gave  the  West  a  strong  testimony  of  our  love  to  them 
when  we  yielded  up  this  good  man.  Let  them  itse  him 
well:' 

The  report  of  appreciation,  of  kindness,  and  liberality 
toward  Dr.  Beecher  would  be  a  grateful  record  to  the 
church  for  all  future  time.  But,  as  Paul  said  that  "  the 
Holy  Ghost  witnesseth  in  every  city,  saying  that  bonds 
and  aJBflictions  abide  me,"  so  this  apostle  of  New  England 
met  everywhere  strife  and  opposition  arrayed  against  him 
in  his  old  age. 

Dr.  Beecher  could  say,  too,  with  Paul,  "  But  none  of 
these  things  move  me;  neither  count  I  my  life  dear  unto 
myself,  so  that  I  might  finish  my  course  with  joy,  and 
the  ministry  which  I  have  received  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  to 
testify  the  gospel  of  the  grace  of  God.-' 

It  has  been  said  that  man  is  ^'  a  fighting  anivial.'"  It 
will  be  some  satisfaction  to  place  many  of  the  controver- 
sies of  good  men  to  this  inherent  propensity  of  their 
natures, — to  fight.  As  professed  religionists  cannot  enter 
other  fields  of  combat  without  scandal,  they  exercise  their 
intense  vitality  here,  in  "  earnestly  contending  for  the  faith 
delivered  unto  the  saints."  Oftentimes,  too,  without  know- 
ing "  what  manner  of  spirit  they  are  of."  Good  old  Dr. 
Bishop,  President  of  Miami  University — the  peacemaker 
— used  to  say,  with  his  broad  Scottish  accent,  if  he 
should  try  to  characterize  the  age  in  which  he  lived,  he 
should  call  it  "an  age  of  original  investigation''  [pro- 
nouncing the  words  adge  and  investig-a-^z-o-/;]. 

The  shaking  and  sifting  process  has  always  resulted  in 
final  good  to  the  church.  The  chaff  is  blown  off,  the  sedi- 
ment left  behind,  and  the  pure  grain  secured.  "  What  is 
the  chaff  to  the  wheat,  saith  the  Lord."     In  this  light  the 


ECCLESIASTICAL    CONTROVERSIES.  99 

church  may  rejoice  in  the  tempestuous  quarter  century 
just  closed,  as  well  as  in  the  brightening  dawn  of  peace 
and  confidence  which  now  gladdens  the  churches  of  our 
land. 

The  M)>tory  of  this  period  will  be  preserved,  though  it 
should  bring  a  blush  of  shame  to  the  brows  of  many  who 
persecuted  their  braver  brethren  for  climbing  higher  than 
themselves  the  "  mount  of  vision,"  gaining  thereby  a 
clearer  observation  and  a  broader  range. 

A  friend  writing  to  Mr.  Brainerd  from  Albany,  under 
date  of  Sept.  29th,  1832,  says,  "I  suppose  you  have  to 
fight  some  battles  with  the  D.D.'s  of  the  Old  School  and 
with  the  devil  in  Cincinnati,  but  you  are  more  able  to  en- 
dure than  we.      ******* 

"  Sinners  expect  to  see  developed  in  Christians  the  ex- 
cellency of  their  religion  ;  but  what  a  miserable  epitome 
of  the  gospel  do  we  make  !" 

These  years  of  distrust  and  alienation  are  fully  recorded 
in  the  annals  of  the  church,  and  there  they  will  stand  as 
the  monuments  of  human  weakness  fur  all  future  ages. 

During  Dr.  Beecher's  trial  before  Synod,  Mr.  Brainerd 
read  such  portions  of  his  sermons  and  theological  writings 
as  were  called  for  by  the  exigencies  of  the  trial.  He 
threw  so  much  heart  and  sympathy  into  the  office  of 
reader  that  a  clergvnian  said  to  him,  as  he  was  passing 
out  of  the  house,  "Brainerd,  if  I  am  ever  tried  for  heresy 
I  hope  you  will  be  there  to  read  my  sermons!" 

Some  years  after  these  events,  while  on  a  visit  to  Mr. 
Brainerd,  in  Philadelphia,  Dr.  Beecher  was  talking  over, 
in  his  good-humored  style,  the  incidents  of  his  trial,  and 
then  subsided  into  a  fit  of  musing.  Suddenly,  raising  his 
head,  he  said,  "  Brainerd,  it  was  hard  for  Wilson  and  his 
party  to  have  us  come  there  and  take  away  their  name 
and  nation.''' 

In  this  playful  implication  he  put  his  finger  upon  the 


100        LIFE   OF  REV.  THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

secret  springs  of  action  more  directly  than  any  one  had 
done  who  sought,  by  human  sagacity,  to  discover  a  reason- 
able occasion  for  those  trials. 

In  July,  1834,  Mr.  Brainerd  received  a  call  to  the  Pres- 
byterian church  in  Jacksonville,  111. 

The  following  letter  and  "  Resolutions"  were  addressed 
to  him  by  the  Committee,  dated 

"Jacksonville,  July  1st,  1834. 

"  Rev.  Thos.  Brainerd. 

"  Dear  Sir, — The  Presbyterian  church  and  congrega- 
tion of  this  place  have  invited  jon  to  become  their  pastor, 
and  it  is  with  sincere  pleasure  that  the  Committee  inform 
you  that  in  this  call  there  was  entire  unanimity,  and  that 
there  is  an  earnest  desire  that  our  application  may  receive 
from  you  a  favorable  consideration.  And  it  is  our  hope 
and  prayer,  with  submission  to  the  will  of  God,  that  you 
may  find  the  leadings  of  Providence  to  correspond  with 
our  earnest  wishes,  and  that  you  may  find  it  compatible 
with  your  views  of  duty  and  plans  of  usefulness,  to  ac- 
cept our  invitation. 

"  The  Committee  feel  that  this  is  a  field  of  no  small  in- 
terest, presenting  a  prospect  for  usefulness,  to  the  minister 
of  Christ,  more  extensive  and  full  of  promise  than  is  often 
to  be  found  in  a  country  so  recently  settled. 

"  Your  rcph^  will  be  waited  for  with  no  small  degree  of 
anxiety. 

"At  a  meeting  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  congre- 
gation of  Jacksonville,  convened  this  30th  day  of  June, 
1834,  the  following  resolutions  were  unanimously  adopted, 
viz.: 

"  Bcsolved,  That  the  Rev.  Thos.  Brainerd,  of  Cincin- 
nati, be  invited  to  take  the  pastoral  charge  of  this  church. 

"  Besolved,  That  Messrs.  Catlin,  Ayres,  and  Jones,  be 
a  Committee  to  communicate  to  Rev.  Mr.  Brainerd  the 


ECCLESIASTICAL    CONTROVERSIES.  101 

proccedinji's  of  this  mectiiifr,  and  that  said  Committee  1)6 
authorized  to  offer  for  his  support  a  salary  of  six  hundred 
dollars  per  annum. 

[Sig-ned]  "  Joel  Catltn, 

"  David  B.  Ayres, 
•'  Henry  Jones, 

"  Committee.'''' 

At  the  same  time  a  letter  from  Kev.  Edward  Beecher, 
then  President  of  Illinois  College,  was  addressed  to  Mr. 
Brainerd  on  this  subject,  urging  various  reasons  for  his 
acceptance  of  the  call. 

A  short  time  after,  a  second  letter,  from  one  of  the  Com- 
mittee, was  received,  containing  the  following  statement : 

"  The  great  need  of  a  proper  pastor  to  this  church  has 
been  a  subject  of  much  prayer  and  solicitude  for  a  long 
time  past,  and  when  you  were  fixed  upon,  it  was  with  con- 
fidence that  God  had  directed  us  in  that  choice,  and  so  we 
are  willing  to  leave  it  with  God  and  your  own  conscience. 
We  feel  this  post  to  be  a  very  important  one, — none  cer- 
tainly of  the  same  importance  in  Illinois,  and  probably  few 
of  the  same  importance  in  this  western  valley. 

"  Rev.  W.  G.  Gallaher  will  visit  Cincinnati  in  a  few 
days,  and  use  his  influence  in  our  behalf  And  as  far  as 
I  have  been  able  to  learn  the  feelings  of  the  ministers  in 
this  region,  they  are  all  extrcmel}^  anxious  that  you  should 
come.  Our  disappointment  will  be  great  if  3"ou  cannot 
accede  to  our  wishes. 

"In  behalf  of,  and  at  the  request  of,  the  Committee, 

"David  B.  Ayres." 

Notwithstanding  these  earnest  appeals,  the  claims  of 
Cincinnati,  and  the  interests  of  the  paper  of  which  Mr. 
Brainerd  had  only  the  year  before  taken  charge  as  editor, 
decided  him  to  remain  at  his  post.     The  wishes  of  Dr. 


102        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

Beechor  to  have  him  continue  with  him  were  more  pre- 
vailing than  those  of  his  son  at  Jacksonville  to  call  him 
away. 

The  most  fearful  visitation  of  cholera  in  this  country 
swept  over  Cincinnati  in  the  summers  of  1832-33.  The 
panic-stricken  people  fled  before  it,  and  but  two  clergymen 
had  the  courage  to  remain  in  the  city.  From  that  time, 
although  scattered  cases  occurred  each  summer,  it  did  not 
become  epidemic. 

In  June,  1885,  while  Mr.  Brainerd  was  absent  in  Ken- 
tucky to  fulfill  a  preaching  engagement,  his  wife  was  taken 
ill  ;  but  no  anxiety  was  felt  by  any  one  on  the  first  day  of 
her  attack.  Her  sj^mptoms  becoming  more  alarming  at 
night,  Mr.  Brainerd  was  sent  for.  There  was  no  tele- 
graph to  speed  such  messages,  and  the  mail  stage  was  the 
swiftest  conveyance.  In  a  few  hours  more  Mrs.  Brainerd 
was  dying.  The  best  medical  skill  was  emplo3^ed,  and  the 
kindest  friends  ministered  to  her;  while  her  husband,  who 
left  her  a  ^e\w  days  before  in  perfect  health,  returned  to  find 
her  shrouded  for  the  grave. 

Mrs.  Brainerd  died  on  Saturday,  June  20th,  1835;  and 
a  young  girl  of  eighteen,  who  had  lived  with  the  family 
three  years,  and  to  whom  they  were  greatly  attached,  died 
on  the  Monday  following,  June  22d. 

In  the  Cincinnali  Journal  of  that  week  the  publisher 
says,  "  We  will  not  offer  any  apology  for  the  absence  of 
the  usual  editorial  care  and  labor  from  our  paper  of  this 
week.  A  bare  statement  of  the  cause  is  sufficient, — the 
sudden  illness  and  death  of  the  wife  of  the  Rev.  Thomas 
Brainerd,  our  highly  esteemed  friend  and  editor.  This 
event  occurred  on  Saturday  last.  Symptoms  of  cholera 
manifested  themselves  during  the  night,  but  a  favorable 
change  in  the  morning  encouraged  hope  ;  but  soon  the 
destroyer  again  commenced  his  work,  and  with  frightful 
rapidity  hurried  his  victim  to  the  tomb. 


DEATH  OF  MRS.  BRAINERD.  103 

"  The  death  of  Mrs.  Brainerd  has  been  widely  and  deeply 
felt  in  this  community.  Youth,  kindness  of  manners,  and 
lovely  piety,  as  well  as  the  unexpectedness  of  the  blow, 
called  forth  the  sympathies  of  a  large  circle  of  friends  and 
acquaintances." 

In  a  subsequent  notice  it  was  said,  "  For  three  sncces- 
sive  summers  the  profession  of  her  husband,  as  well  as  her 
own  benevolence,  had  rendered  her  familiar  with  the  rav- 
ages of  the  pestilence.  While  many  were  dying  around 
her,  an  expression  of  fear  never  escaped  her  lips.  Through 
these  scenes  she  passed  safely.  In  a  time  of  general  health 
the  messenger  approached  in  his  most  appalling  form.  She 
liad  fortitude  to  give  a  dying  message  to  her  absent  hus- 
band and  her  distant  relatives." 

The  young  orphan  girl  who  lived  with  Mrs.  Brainerd 
was  born  in  Cincinnati,  and  before  the  death  of  her  parents 
was  in  comfortable  circumstances.  She  was  converted 
under  Mr.  Brainerd's  preaching,  and  joined  his  church  at 
the  age  of  fifteen.  She  was  an  intelligent,  conscientious 
girl,  a  teacher  in  the  Sabbath-school,  for  which  responsi- 
bility she  made  careful  preparation  during  the  week.  She 
nursed  Mrs.  Brainerd  with  anxious  care  during  her  short 
sickness,  and  appeared  inconsolable  after  her  death  ;  she 
said  she  had  been  a  mother  to  her  and  that  she  was  losing- 
her  best  friend;  but  they  w^ere  separated  only  thirty-six 
hours. 

The  only  remaining  member  of  Mr.  Brainerd's  family 
was  a  nephew,  nineteen  years  of  age,  a  member  of  Lane 
Seminary,  who  was  preparing  for  the  ministry.  The 
tokens  of  affectionate  sympathy  extended  to  him  by  his 
friends  were  most  touching  and  grateful  to  his  stricken 
heart.  Immediately  after  the  burial  of  his  wife,  on  the 
22d  of  June,  the  following  note  was  handed  to  him  from 
Major  Clarkson : 


104        LIFE   OF  REV.  THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

"  Rev.  T.  Brainerd. 
"  Dear  Sir  : 
"T  presume  under  your  present  deep  affliction,  in  which 
I  most  earnestly  sympathize  with  3'ou,  it  will  not  be 
by  any  means  desirable  for  you  to  continue  to  keep 
house.  Will  you  do  Mrs.  Clarkson  and  myself  the  favor 
to  accept  of  a  comfortable  and  retired  room  in  our  house, 
for  some  weeks  or  months,  as  you  please  ?  We  think  it 
would  perhaps  be  more  agreeable  to  you  than  to  remain 
in  the  city.  I  have  several  idle  horses,  and  one  shall  at 
all  times  be  at  your  service,  to  ride  to  and  from  the  city. 
I  find  it  perfectly  convenient  to  attend  to  my  business  in 
the  city  and  reside  at  this  short  distance  out,  and  I  think 
you  would  find  it  equally  so.  We  sincerely  hope  this  pro- 
])osition  may  meet  your  approbation,  and,  at  as  early  a 
day  as  will  suit  your  convenience,  we  may  have  the  pleas- 
ure of  seeing  you  an  inmate  of  our  family. 

"  Your  sincere  friend, 

"  Charles  S.  Clarkson. 

'•  June  22d,  lS3.i." 

But  his  ever-watchful  and  maternal  friend,  Mrs.  Judge 
Burnet,  claimed  and  took  charge  of  him  and  his  nephew 
by  what  she  called  a  prior  right.  His  house  was  locked 
up,  with  everything  standing  in  its  accustomed  place,  and 
Mr.  Brainerd  was  established  in  her  luxurious  home, 
where  he  received  the  most  tender  and  assiduous  kindness 
from  every  member  of  ihe  family. 

The  tread-mill  duties  in  the  editor's  office  now  became  a 
blessing;  and  the  excitement  of  Dr.  Beecher's  trial, — in 
the  midst  of  which  the  doctor's  own  lovely  wife,  Mrs. 
Harriet  Beecher,  was  consigned  to  the  grave,  two  weeks 
after  Mrs.  Brainerd,  —  occupied  his  whole  time  and  de- 
manded his  undivided  energies. 

Mr.  Brainerd  invited  a  sister  of  his  wife  to  take  charge 


COREESrONDENCE.  105 

of  his  house,  who  arrived  in  Cincinnati  in  two  or  three 
weeks,  when  he  and  his  nephew  returned  to  their  deso- 
lated home. 

About  two  months  after  the  death  of  his  wife,  Mr.  Brai- 
nerd  received  a  letter  from  his  friend,  Reuel  Kimball,  Jr., 
announcing  a  similar  bereavement  in  his  own  family. 

Mr.  Brainerd  writes  in  reply  : 

"  You  can  well  imagine  that  I  know  the  extent  of  your 
loss,  and  rest  assured  that  you  have  my  warmest  sym- 
pathy. 

"  We  have  a  tendency  to  make  our  home  on  the  earth. 
God  is  too  good  to  allow  us  to  sleep  on  this  enemy's 
ground.  We  stand  at  the  beginning  of  existence.  The 
value  of  happiness  in  the  present  life  we  magnify  bej^ond 
its  proper  proportion.  God  looks  down  through  eternal 
ages,  and  so  arranges  his  providence  as  to  secure  the 
greatest  happiness  of  our  whole  being.  You  do  the  same 
thing  with  your  children.  They  look  only  at  the  present 
moment;  you  look  at  their  whole  life,  and  consequently 
are  often  compelled  to  inflict  present  pain  to  save  them 
from  future  evils. 

"My  life  has  been  checkered  and  singular.  God  has 
blessed  me  abundantly  in  some  respects.  He  has  gone 
before  me  all  my  life  and  given  me  favor  with  the  people. 
He  has  invested  me  with  peculiar  responsibilities  and 
given  me  opportunity  to  exert  a  wide-spread  influence. 
He  has  gathered  around  me  all  the  enjoyments  that  the 
world  could  give.  Now,  could  I  have  borne  this  without 
affliction?  I  have  been  tempted  to  congratulate  myself  on 
my  advantages.  God  saw  this.  Twice  he  dashed  the  cup 
of  worldly  enjoyment  from  my  lips.  Twice  he  has  clotlied 
the  earth  with  sackcloth  around  me,  and  compelled  me  to 

10 


106        LIFE   OF  REV.    THOMAS  BR AI NERD,  D.D. 

feel  that  I  was  a  poor,  weak,  sinful  man,  dependent  entirely 
on  his  providence. 

"  No  common  discipline  would  suffice  for  me.  Pressed 
on  by  labors  and  cares,  and  constantly  excited  by  the 
changing  scenes  around  me,  I  should  not  have  felt  a  slight 
blow.  God  knew  this  ;  and  he  has  twice  sundered,  as  it 
Avere  in  a  moment,  the  strong  cords  which  bound  me  to 
the  world.  Thus  he  has  compelled  me  to  give  up  the 
world  as  a  pillar  to  be  leaned  upon.  He  is  now  dealing 
in  the  same  manner  with  you.  I  pray  that  you  may  have 
grace  not  onl}'  to  bear  Ijut  to  improve  your  deep  affliction, 
and  get  your  medicine  in  'the  Ijalm  of  Gilead.' 

"  Give  my  love  to  all  your  family.  I  cherish  for  them  a 
peculiar  affection,  which  neither  time  nor  distance  has 
weakened. 

"  Your  brother  and  sincere  friend, 

"Thomas  Brainerd. 

"  CiNCi-NSATi,  Sept.  20th,  1835." 

From  Rev.  John  Spaulding. 

"  The  first  generation  that  peopled  Ohio  and  the  West 
generally,  was  less  intelligent,  less  stable,  less  qualified  to 
lay  the  foundations  of  future  generations  than  the  second. 
It  had  not  the  means,  if  it  had  possessed  the  will,  for  con- 
verting broad  forests  into  fruitful  fields  ;  unlimited  water- 
power  into  giant  arms  to  turn  the  wheels  of  all  the  varie- 
ties of  manufactures ;  open  roads,  build  bridges,  erect 
dwellings,  churches,  school-houses,  villages,  and  cities; 
found  schools,  colleges,  and  literary  periodicals  ;  establish 
lines  of  stages  and  steamers  for  intercommunication,  and 
furnish  the  adequate  numl)er  of  competent  men  to  keep  all 
these  industries, — all  these  literary  and  religious  interests 
alive,  and  in  healthy  action. 

"A  large  portion  of  the  population  was  uneducated;  its 
enterprise  extending  no  further  nor  higher  than  a  log- 


CORRESPONDENCE.  107 

cabin,  a  limited  corn-field,  and  the  pursuits  of  the  chase. 
These  constituted  the  borderers  between  civilized  and 
savage  life,  to  blaze  the  trees  from  settlement  to  settle- 
ment, keep  the  Indians  at  bay,  kill  the  wild  beasts,  and 
float  off  when  a  better  tide  of  immigration  came  in.  In 
1827,  Ohio  was  the  greatest  emigrating  State  in  the 
Union  :  while  a  ratio  of  population  was  pouring  over  the 
Alleghanies,  into  the  Yalley  of  the  Mississippi,  at  the  rate 
of  one  thousand  a  day. 

"At  the  end  of  the  first  generation  the  work  of  large  and 
liberal  improvements  had  fairly  commenced.  Intelligence 
had  come  to  the  aid  of  will,  capital  to  the  aid  of  industry ; 
and,  by  the  middle  of  the  second  generation,  all  hands  were 
hot  at  work,  all  hearts  beating  hopefully,  and  all  minds 
wondering  at  present  and  prospective  results. 

"  It  was  stimulated  and  largely  directed  by  leading 
minds  from  the  Eastern  States.  '  There  were  giants  in 
the  earth  in  those  days  ;'  and  if  few  of  them  found  their 
way  to  the  West,  their  sons  went  and  worked  there. 

"Among  them  Avas  the  brother  bclo\ed  whose  recent 
monument  bears  the  inscription, — 

'An  earnest  Preacher,  a  true  Philanthropist,  anJ  a  Christian  Patriot:' 
Rev.  Thomas  Biiainerd,  D.D. 

"Soon  after  finishing  his  course  at  the  Andover  Theo- 
logical Seminary,  he  was  earnestly  at  work  in  the  Queen 
City  of  the  West ;  first  as  a  preacher,  and  then  as  the 
editor  of  the  Cincinnati  Journal.  Here  the  writer  of  this 
sketch  first  made  his  acquaintance:  laboring  with  him  in 
the  protracted  meetings  of  that  day  ;  consulting  together 
on  matters  of  personal  duty  and  usefulness  ;  sitting  at  the 
same  table,  and  bowing  together  at  the  same  family  altar 
for  several  consecutive  months ;  enjoying  together,  in  the 
hours  of  relaxation  from  toil,  some  of  the  richest  clusters 
of  social  life;  and,  after  the  cholera  had  suddenly  bereaved 


108        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  DRATNERD,  D.D. 

him  of  his  excellent  wife,  going  with  him  to  the  grave  to 
weep  there. 

"  Under  all  these  circumstances  he  was  uniformly  cour- 
teous, kind,  faithful,  and  true.  Asa  counselor,  his  breth- 
ren ever  found  him  judicious ;  as  an  advocate  of  human 
rights,  firm;  as  a  friend  of  every  good  work,  promjyt ; 
and  as  an  opponent  of  ultraism  and  error,  fearless.  For 
example,  when  the  students  of  Lane  Seminary  became 
suddenly  wiser  than  their  teachers,  and,  scouting  their 
advice  to  desist,  continued  the  discussion  of  slavery 
far  beyond  the  possibilities  of  a  discreet  usefulness ;  and 
when,  to  break  down  what  they  called  a  wicked  caste  in 
society,  they  brought  a  colored  woman  into  church,  and 
seated  her  beside  one  of  the  most  prominent  white  ladies 
in  the  city;  when  also  they  denounced  severely  those  who 
•  lagged  in  duty,'  and  ran  not  with  them  to  the  same  excess 
of  riot;  how  faithfully  he  rebuked  their  intolerance  and 
indiscretion ;  and  how  earnestly  did  he  labor  to  stop  their 
headlong  course,  and  save  them  from  the  results  of  their 
folly,  viz.,  expulsion  from  the  seminary,  and  a  great  abridg- 
ment of  their  future  usefulness. 

"So  when  Dr.  Joshua  L.  Wilson  arraigned  Dr.  Lyman 
Beecher  before  the  Presbytery  of  Cincinnati,  charging  him 
with  heresy,  slander,  and  hypocrisy,  no  member  of  that 
body  was  more  able  and  impartial  in  procuring  a  righteous 
acquittal  than  Mr.  Brainerd;  and  when  the  question  arose 
whether  the  prosecutor,  having  utterly  failed  to  prove  the 
charges,  should  be  himself  censured  as  a  slanderer  of  the 
gospel  ministry,  Mr.  Brainerd  was  among  the  first  to  pal- 
liate his  rashness  and  excuse  him,  on  the  ground  of  his 
being  more  honest  than  wise,  and  more  pugnacious  than 
prudent. 

"  The  courtesy  and  kindness  of  his  private  life  be  also  ex- 
pressed on  the  pages  of  his  public  t/o?<r»a/.  If  the  times  were 
exciting,  and  tongues  and  pens  were  bent  on  mischief  in  the 


CORRESPONDENCE.  1 0  9 

household  of  faith,  his  tongue  and  pen  seldom  let  fall  a 
hitter  word  in  reply.  While  he  contended  earnestly  for 
the  faith  once  delivered  to  the  saints,  he  was  scrupulously 
careful  not  to  inflict  a  needless  wound,  not  to  sadden  an 
honest  heart.  In  the  light  of  the  present  better  days  and 
brotherly  feelings,  some  of  those  editorial  columns  may  be 
read  as  models  of  a  magnanimous  spirit  earnestly  seeking 
and  teaching  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus. 

"  On  the  subject  of  slavery  his  position  was  never 
equivocal :  always  speaking,  when  in  his  judgment  ho 
could  benefit  either  master  or  slave  ;  always  judicious, 
whether  discussing  with  the  Hon.  Henry  Clay,  of  Ash- 
land, Kentucky,  the  best  means  for  putting  an  end  to  the 
dark  system,  or  disputing  with  Rev.  John  Rankin,  of  Rip- 
le}^  Ohio,  the  measures  of  the  abolitionists.  It  was  a  mar- 
vel often  to  those  who  knew  the  nervousness  of  his  tem- 
perament that  he  could  keep  so  cool  on  the  hottest  battle- 
field, and  lighten  so  vividly  in  the  storm  of  debate  without 
scathing  too  severely  some  of  his  gnarled  opponents. 

"  Whenever  he  officiated  as  a  minister,  whether  in  the 
city  or  country,  on  communion  and  other  occasions  of 
religious  interest,  it  was  manifest  that  he  deeply  felt  him- 
self the  messages  he  delivered.  Hence  the  depth  and  per- 
manence of  the  good  impressions  left.  Many,  besides  his 
ministerial  brethren  who  survive  him,  bless  God  for  the 
labors  of  Thomas  Brainerd  as  a  co-worker  in  the  second 
generation,  in  laying  the  foundations  of  good  for  all  the 
future  generations  of  the  West." 

From  Eev.  Horace  Bushnell,  of  Cincinnati. 

"I  first  met  Dr.  Brainerd  in  March,  1826,  the  day  we 
both  united  with  the  church.  In  the  autumn  of  the  same 
year,  we  both  attended  Mr.  Grosvenor's  Classical  School, 
in  Rome.  Mr.  Brainerd  then  opened  a  school  himself  and 
I  became  his  pupil.     He  was  then  universally  esteemed 

10* 


110   LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

foi'  his  piety  and  respected  for  his  talents.  In  Rome  he 
was  a  universal  favorite,  and  his  memory  is  warmly  cher- 
ished there, 

"At  Cincinnati  he  was  popular  with  all  classes,  and 
at  once  secured  the  confidence  and  love  of  the  Fourth 
Church,  and  the  whole  community  learned  to  respect 
him.  His  Christian  kindness  and  condescension  won  all 
hearts. 

"In  our  ecclesiastical  trials  of  that  day,  he  was  always 
present,  active,  and  earnest ;  but  never  suffered  himself  to 
be  thrown  off  his  guard.  In  no  exigency  would  he  violate 
an  ecclesiastical  rule,  or  infringe  upon  the  constitution  of 
the  church.  In  the  midst  of  party  strife  he  was  at  times 
violently  assailed  ;  but  always  remained  calm,  dignified, 
and,  however  great  the  provocation,  treated  his  opponents 
with  respect. 

"  My  last  interview  with  Mr.  Brainerd  was  near  the 
grave  of  President  Harrison.  We  talked  of  our  child- 
hood ;  the  trials  of  our  youth,  and  the  labors  of  our  man- 
hood;  of  the  grace  that  redeemed  us,  and  of  our  hopes  for 
the  better  land.  He  has  finished  his  work,  and  entered 
into  rest.  I  linger  for  a  little  season,  cheered  by  the  same 
promises  that  sustained  him." 

Reminiscences  of  Dr.  T.  Brainerd.    By  Eev.  D.  C.  Blood. 

"  I  first  knew  Dr.  Brainerd  in  the  autumn  of  1828;  was 
a  member  of  the  same  clnss  three  years,  in  Andover  Theo- 
logical Seminary,  where  we  graduated  September,  1831  ; 
and  came  thence  to  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  as  missionaries  to 
the  great  West.  I  saw  him  nearly  every  week,  until  lie 
was  recalled  to  Philadelphia. 

"  Brother  Brainerd  was  diligent  as  a  student,  active  as 
a  Christian;  ready,  instructive,  and  spiritual  in  devotional 
meetings;  a  faithful  Sabbath-school  laborer;  and,  in  all 
respects,  a  zealous  missionary.     He  was  able  in  studied 


REMINISCENCES.  HI 

discourses,  but  especially  happy  in  bis  off-hand  speeches; 
and  the  more  embarrassing  the  occasion,  the  more  com- 
posed and  gifted  were  his  efforts. 

"  "While  at  Andover,  he  was  often  called  out  for  temper- 
ance and  Sabbath-school  speeches ;  and  he  was  one  of  the 
few  men  whose  name  would  fill  a  country  meeting-house, 
and  whose  speech  would  hold  an  audience  in  breathless 
attention  by  the  hour,  amid  the  noise  of  fife  and  drum, 
and  all  the  jargon  of  an  old-fashioned  Fourth-of-July. 

"Mr.  Brainerd's  coolness  and  practical  good  sense  were 
striking  features  of  his  character.  In  the  autumn  of  1832, 
while  the  Synod  of  Cincinnati  was  in  session  in  Chilli- 
cothe,  the  cholera  made  its  first  appearance  in  Cincinnati. 
Synod  immediately  adjourned  and  started  for  home.  As 
Mr.  Brainerd  and  others  came  near  a  village  where  they 
were  to  pass  the  night,  a  man  in  a  cabin  by  the  way  was 
heard  crying,  'Cholera!  cholera!  I'm  dying!'  Mr.  Brai- 
nerd returned  to  the  scene  of  alarm  ;  and,  regardless  of 
the  protestations  of  fear-stricken  neighbors,  who  were 
'standing  afar  off,'  went  directly  to  the  bedside  of  the 
alarmed  man;  assured  him  that  he  had  not  one  of  the 
symptoms  of  Asiatic  cholera,  but  was  suffering  from  i)leu- 
risy ;  ordered  warm  applications  to  be  made,  and,  in  the 
course  of  an  hour,  had  the  man  free  from  pain  and  in  a 
fair  way  for  recovery 

"  The  same  features  of  character  showed  themselves  in 
all  the  scenes  of  ecclesiastical  warfare  which  distinguished 
the  early  years  of  his  ministry.  In  all  these  scenes  of 
perplexity,  I  never  knew  Brother  Brainerd  to  be  discon- 
certed or  ever  worsted  in  debate. 

"Mr.  Brainerd  was  peculiarly  happy  in  his  personal  in- 
tercourse, especially  Avith  plain  people.  He  was  pressing 
the  claims  of  religion  on  the  attention  of  a  day-laborer, 
who,  not  knowing  what  else  to  say,  brought  up  the  com- 
mon excuse,  that  there  were  '  so  manv  different  denomina- 


112        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAIN ERD,  D.D. 

tions.'  'Mv  friend,'  said  Mr.  Brainerd,  '  jou  live  by  your 
labor  ;  now  suppose  you  find  a  man  of  your  sort  loitering 
at  street  corners,  and  exhort  him  to  go  to  work  and  earn 
bread  for  his  family.  But  the  loiterer  replies,  Do  you  sup- 
pose I  will  work  while  there  are  so  many  sorts  of  work  to 
be  done  ?  One  man  wants  me  to  dig,  another  to  drive 
team,  another  to  unload  his  boat,  and  thus  not  less  than  a 
dozen  offer  me  wages  ;  but  so  many  kinds  of  work  are 
enough  to  craze  one  !  And  so  with  you,  my  friend.  The 
Baptists  call  you,  then  the  Methodists,  then  the  Episco- 
palians, and  then  the  Presbyterians, — and  all  proffer  you 
eternal  life  ;  and  you  refuse  because  so  many  join  to  invite 
you.' 

"  In  an  intimate  acquaintance  with  minister.s,  extending 
through  almost  forty  years,  I  have  known  but  few  who 
were  the  equals  of  Dr.  Thomas  Brainerd."  ^ 


CHAPTER    A' 1 1. 

CALL   TO   UTICA — GENERAL   ASSEMBLY   AT    PITTSBORG. 

IN  October,  1835,  the  year  following  the  call  to  Jackson- 
ville, Illinois,  Mr.  Brainerd  received  a  call  to  the  First 
Presbyterian  Church  of  Utica,  New  York.  This  call, 
coming  from  those  who  had  known  him  in  youth,  and  urged 
upon  him  by  friends  whom  he  regarded  with  great  love 
and  reverence,  gtove  him  unmingled  satisfaction.  The 
honor  a  prophet  receives  in  his  own  country  is  doubly 
grateful. 

But  the  motives  which  constrained  him  to  decline  the 
call  to  Jacksonville  were  still  in  full  force,  and  influenced 
him  to  continue  in  Cincinnati. 

The  official  call  to  Utica,  bearing  date  October  Gth, 
1835,  was  received  without  any  previous  intimation,  as 
unexpected  as  it  was  gratifying. 

The  Committee  who  signed  the  call  were  Oliver  Wet- 
more,  Spencer  Kellogg,  J.  A.  Spencer,  T.  Walker,  and  John 
Bradish  ;  while  the  friends  by  whom  it  was  urged,  and 
the  motives  assigned  for  his  acceptance  of  it,  made  the 
refusal  one  of  the  most  painful  duties  of  his  public  life. 

Hon.  Chester  Hayden,  with  whom  he  had  studied  law, 
writes  as  follows: 

"  I  was  greatly  delighted  to  learn,  by  a  letter  from  the 
Rev.  William  Patton,  of  New  York,  who  has  taken  a  deep 
interest  in  the  claims  of  this  church,  that  with  his  exten- 
sive   acquaintance  in    the  American    church,   he   recom- 

(113) 


114        LIFE   OF  REV.  THOMAS  BRAINERD,   D.D. 

mended  you,  as  the  best  adapted  to  our  wants  and  the 
wants  of  this  region,  of  any  clergyman  of  his  acquaint- 
ance. Ever  since  the  vacancy  occurred  I  have  felt  a  wish 
that  we  might  have  you' for  our  pastor.  We  last  evening 
had  a  regular  meeting  of  the  society,  and  such  was  the 
confidence  with  which  Dr.  Patton  had  inspired  the  congre- 
gation by  his  frank  and  honest  representations,  that,  after 
a  short  discussion  of  the  subject,  a  unanimous  vote  was 
passed  calling  Mr.  Brainerd  to  the  pastoral  care  of  this 
people. 

"  I  assure  you,  my  dear  sir,  that  on  this  occasion  recol- 
lections of  the  past  were  to  me  intensely  interesting ;  and 
several  adverted  with  lively  interest  to  a  sermon  with 
which  you  once  favored  us.  And  now,  my  dear  sir,  allow 
me  to  hope  that  a  favorable  response  ufay  be  returned  to 
this  call, 

"  You  know  something  of  the  importance  of  this  station, 
and  that  it  should  be  properly  occupied ;  Ave  are  all  satis- 
fied that  if  our  call  meets  a  favorable  reception,  it  will  be 
so  occupied. 

"The  salary  proposed  is  the  same  that  Mr.  Aikin  re- 
ceived ;  but  is  only  twelve  hundred  and  fifty  dollars, 
which,  though  I  do  not  imagine  that  a  salary  would  be 
with  you  a  primary  object,  is,  I  fear,  less  than  you  will 
think  this  society  ought  to  pay.  There  are  means  enough 
to  raise  the  sum  to  two  thousand ;  and  I  am  confident 
that  no  difficulty  would  be  experienced  on  account  of  com- 
pensation. I  cannot  but  wait  with  anxiety  for  your 
decision,  as  I  know  many  others  will, — but  I  more. 

"  The  affliction  with  which  you  were  visited  the  last 
summer,  as  sudden  almost  to  yourself  as  to  your  friends 
here,  brought  again  vividly  to  my  recollection  the  latter 
part  of  your  residence  at  Rome.  Be  assured  you  did  and 
do  partake  largely  of  the  sympathy  of  Mrs.  H.  and  my- 
self.   It  seems  that  the  Lord  designed  to  make  you  perfect. 


CALL   TO    UTICA.  115 

in  a  degree,  through  suffering.     I  doubt  not  that  such  has 
been  and  will  be  its  salutary  influence. 

"  Yerj  truly  yours, 

"  Chester  Hayden. 

"Utica,  Oct.  7th,  1835." 

A  joint  letter  from  the  committee  followed  immediately 
upon  the  call. 

"  Rev.  and  dear  Sir  : 

"  In  consequence  of  the  interest  taken  by  the  Rev.  Wil- 
liam Fatten,  of  New  York,  in  the  welfare  of  this  church, 
and  his  recommendation  of  yourself  as  a  minister  every 
way  qualified  for  this  location,  we  addressed  the  call 
through  him,  requesting  him  to  forward  the  same  to  you, 
accompanied  with  such  remarks  as  he  might  deem  proper. 

"  The  unanimity  with  which  the  call  was  made,  when 
we  consider  the  numbers  connected  with  this  congregation, 
seems  clearly  to  evince  an  overruling  Providence,  which 
should  always  be  recognized. 

"The  location,  in  itself  considered,  offers  claims  which 
cannot  easily  be  resisted.  It  is  the  geographical  center 
of  this  great  State,  and  a  position  that  must  and  will  give 
an  influence  to  a  large  extent  of  territory.  Ecclesiastical 
bodies  will  receive  a  greater  or  less  influence  from  this 
individual  church.  ****** 

"We  are  aware  that  your  feelings  must  necessarily  have 
become  interwoven  with  the  important  interests  of  the 
West;  and  you  may  have  become  so  identified  with  that 
portion  of  the  country,  as  tQ  lead  you  to  the  conclusion 
that  it  would  not  be  your  duty  to  leave.  Your  knowledge 
of  the  wants  of  the  great  Western  Valley  would  enable 
you  to  present  them  to  this  community  in  a  light  never 
before  presented.     And  blessed  as  we  are  with  one  of  the 


110        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

richest  portions  of  the  earth,  it  might  only  be  necessary  to 
excite  an  interest  on  this  subject,  to  secure  much  good  to 
the  church. 

"We  now  leave  this  subject  in  the  hands  of  God,  believ- 
ing that  He  will  bring  you  to  such  conclusions  as  shall 
best  promote  His  own  glory  and  the  good  of  His  church. 
"  Spencer  Kellogg,         T.  Walker, 
"J.  A.  Spencer,  John  Bradish." 

From  Rev.  William  Patton,  D.D, 

"New  York,  October  10th,  1835. 

"  Rev.  Thomas  Brainerd. 
"My  dear  Brother: 

"  I  learn  with  great  pleasure  that  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church  in  Utica  have  given  you  a  unanimous  call  to  be- 
come their  pastor.  I  am  made  glad  by  this  intelligence, 
because  of  the  personal  friendship  I  bear  you,  the  interest 
which  I  feel  in  that  church,  and  the  general  good  of  our 
Saviour's  Kingdom.  As  I  was  instrumental  in  bringing 
your  name  before  that  people,  it  is  proper  I  should  give 
you  some  of  the  reasons  which  influenced  me  in  so  doing. 

"  The  conviction  has  been  deepening  upon  my  mind 
that  your  forte  is  preaching ;  acting  upon  the  minds  of 
men  by  the  living  voice.  God  has  given  to  you  more 
preaching  talents  and  pulpit  powers,  than  to  most  of  your 
brethren  in  the  ministry.  In  this  view  I  find  many  others, 
who  know  and  love  you,  cordially  concurring.  They  feel, 
with  me,  that  your  present  employment  is  by  no  means  so 
important,  and  that  you  are  not  so  well  adapted  for  it  as 
for  preaching. 

"  The  paper  you  are  editing  has  now  made  its  charac- 
ter, and  has,  perhaps,  so  far  done  its  great  work,  that  it 
can  be  safely  transferred  to  other  hands. 

"Your  knowledge  of  the  West  Avould  be  of  immense  ser- 
vice in  counsel  and  action  at  the  East,  and  by  your  removal 


CALL   TO    UTICA.  117 

East,  the  bonds  of  union  would  be  more  intimate.  From 
Oneida  and  adjoining  counties  there  is  a  very  strong  emi- 
gration West,  which  you  could  materially  influence  and 
shape,  from  your  knowledge  of  the  whole  country.  You 
could  thus  send  more  ministers  and  active  Christians  than 
you  could  in  any  other  way  secure  for  the  valley. 

"  If  ever  you  are  again  to. settle  as  a  pastor,  it  is  well-nigh 
time  for  you  to  do  it,  before  your  mind  and  heart  become 
secularized  and  alienated  from  the  peculiar  feelings  which 
are  connected  with  love  for  the  pulpit  and  the  pastoral 
work. 

"  The  unanimity  of  the  call  is  an  important  item,  when 
you  consider  the  size  of  the  congregation  and  the  amount 
of  intelligence  and  wealth  which  it  contains.  I  know  of  few 
congregations  in  the  land  where  there  is  so  much  talent 
and  educated  mind,  and  so  much  wealth  connected  with 
the  church. 

"  Utica  exerts  a  metropolitan  influence  over  some  twenty 
counties  and  gives  tone  and  action  to  the  churches  there. 
The  First  Church  in  Utica  is,  beyond  all  comparison,  the 
largest  and  strongest  in  all  that  region,  and  has  always 
been  an  empire  church. 

"The  law-school,  now  established  at  Utica,  will  have 
several  hundred  students,  whose  minds  are  to  be  religiously 
moulded.  Multitudes  of  young  men,  who  are  now  floating 
from  church  to  church,  would  be  fixed  in  the  First  Church 
if  you  accept.  Yours  afTectionatcly, 

"  William  Patton." 

"  Brother  Brainerd  : 

"  In  all  that  Brother  Patton  has  said  concerning  Utica, 
and  the  importance  of  the  place  and  its  influence  on  the 
surrounding  region,  there  can  be  but  one  opinion.  He  has 
given  an  outline  that  might  be  filled  up  with  facts  of  very 
decided  character.     But  concerning  a  previous  ({ucstion, 

11 


118        LIFE   OF  liEV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

the  duty  of  leaving  the  West  and  coming'  to  the  East,  I  am 
not  so  clear.  If  you  settle  that  question  in  favor  of  the 
East,  then  come  to  Utica.  Yours, 

"  Charles  Hall." 

From  Rev.  Albert  Barnes. 

"  My  dear  Brother  : 

"Brother  Fatten  has  read  me  his  letter;  and  I  would 
join  my  testimony  to  his  on  the  subject.  You  know  Utica; 
and  you  know  that  it  is  immensely  important  to  have  a 
man  of  large  views,  and  firm,  independent  principles  and 
right  feelings  there.  There  are  very  few  points  in  the 
land  of  so  much  importance  as  that;  and  I  regard  this  call 
to  you  as  signally  providential.  For  one,  I  am  becoming 
more  and  more  impressed  with  the  truth  that  all  who  can 
preach  sJiould  preach,  as  the  main  business  of  life,  and  I 
have  not  a  doubt  that  you  have  a  call  to  preach;  and  that 
the  pulpit  is  more  important  than  a  paper  can  be.  But 
you  can  judge  on  this  subject.  You  have  our  feelings  and 
views.  Truly  yours, 

"  A.  Barnes." 

Notwithstanding  these  earnest  persuasions,  Mr.  Brai- 
nerd  still  considered  it  his  duty  to  remain  at  his  post  in 
Cincinnati.  But  the  arguments  of  his  friends  Avere  not  lost 
upon  him ;  and  as  he  had  never  wholly  relinquished 
preaching  during  his  editorial  career,  he  proposed  to  re- 
sume it,  as  the  great  work  of  his  life,  as  soon  as  the  exi- 
gencies of  the  times  pointed  out  his  duty  clearly  in  that 
direction. 

In  May,  1836,  Mr.  Brainerd  came  East  as  Commissioner 
to  the  General  Assembly.  Dr.  Beecher  accompanied  him, 
with  several  other  clergymen,  among  whom  was  Presi- 
dent Labaree,  a  classmate  of  Mr.  Brainerd's  at  AndoVer. 
In  an  editorial  of  May  5th,  Mr.  Brainerd  announces  his 


VISIT  TO   HIS  AGED  FATHER.  HQ 

temporaiy  absence,  and  Ins  purpose  to  visit  his  aged  and 
sick  father  in  Northern  New  York  before  his  return.  He 
says:  "  Eighty-two  years  press  heavily  upon  his  frosted 
head  and  threaten  soon  to  sink  him  to  the  grave.  His 
best  afifections  are  in  heaven,  but  his  heart  is  still  warm 
toward  the  son  of  his  old  age.  He  has  expressed  a  wish 
to  see  him  once  more. 

"Will  any  father  or  mother  among  our  readers  say  that 
we  ought  not  to  go  ?  Will  any  complain  if,  after  two  years 
of  crushing  labor  and  responsibility,  we  again  leave  our 
post  for  a  few  weeks,  to  gladden  the  heart  which  loved  us 
before  we  could  appreciate  the  obligation,  and  to  grasp 
once  more  the  trembling  hand  which  sustained  and  guided 
our  infancy  and  childhood  ? 

"  During  the  editor's  absence,  our  paper  will  be  con- 
ducted by  one  every  way  competent  to  assume  such  re- 
sponsibilities. He  is  a  gentleman  of  piety,  talents,  and 
scholarship ;  and  a  thorough  Presbyterian  by  birth,  edu- 
cation, and  choice.  We  think  he  will  give  general  satis- 
faction."* 

Dr.  Beecher  and  Mr.  Braincrd  remained  a  short  time  in 
Philadelphia  after  the  Assembly  adjourned,  and  then  came 
on  to  New  Haven  together. 

While  in  Philadelphia,  Mr.  Brainerd  was  invited  to 
supply  the  pulpit  of  the  Third  Presbyterian  Church  on 
the  Sabbath,  and  to  officiate  at  the  June  communion. 
One  of  the  elders  of  the  Third  Church,  who  was  a  dele- 
gate to  the  General  Assembly,  said  he  was  first  impressed 
in  Mr.  Brainerd's  favor,  by  the  ability  and  fearlessness 
with  which  so  young  a  man  (then  not  quite  thirty-two) 
defended  Dr.  Beecher  from  the  attacks  of  his  opponents. 


*  The  substitute  thus  spoken  of  was  Rev.  Henry  Ward  Beecher;  or,  as 
he  was  then  called,  "  Mr.  Henry  Beecher."  We  are  glad  to  see  that  he 
does  not  ignore  his  "  Presbyterianism  "  since  the  Reunion. 


120        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

It  will  be  remembered,  these  were  the  days  of  stormy 
gathering  before  the  tempest  which  broke  upon  the  churches 
in  the  divisions  of  the  next  year.  We  are  not  to  forget 
these  chapters  of  wonderful  history.  In  reviewing  them, 
we  more  gratefully  recognize  the  peace  which  has  dawned 
upon  the  Christian  horizon.  "  The  spirit  of  God  has 
moved  upon  the  face  of  the  waters," — "  stilling  the  noise 
of  the  waves  and  the  tumult  of  the  people." 

Mr.  Brainerd's  visit  to  New  Haven  led  to  the  acquaint- 
ance which  resulted  in  his  second  marriage.  Dr.  Beecher 
went  on  to  Boston,  where  he  was  himself  married  before 
his  return.  The  events  of  the  next  three  months  so  con- 
trolled Mr.  Brainerd's  movements,  that  the  season  w^as 
spent  between  Philadelphia  and  New  Haven.  His  letters 
at  this  time  will  give  the  best  report  of  his  plans  and 
pursuits. 

To  Mrs.  W. 

"  New  York,  Sept.  9th,  1836. 

"  I  had  thought  to  have  left  this  morning  for  Phila- 
delphia, but  Mr.  Patton  insists  upon  my  giving  a  few 
weeks  to  his  favorite  cause  [American  Education  Soc.]. 
He  says  that  his  treasury  is  exhausted,  and  that  I  shall 
be  untrue  to  the  great  interests  of  religion  if  I  refuse  to 
lend  a  helping  hand  in  this  emergency.  The  intrinsic  im- 
portance of  the  work  itself  has  made  so  much  impression 
on  my  mind,  that  I  am  not  sure  but  I  shall  devote  my 
leisure  time  to  making  speeches  and  collecting  money. 
The  first  duty  I  have  some  experience  in  ;  but  collecting 
money  is  a  harder  business. 

"When  a  man  looks  me  in  the  face,  and  says  he  is 
poor ;  that  matters  have  gone  hard  with  him  in  pecuniary 
concerns;  that  he  is  a  'mighty'  generous  man,  but  thinks 
he  cannot  give  anything  this  time ;  I  may  know  that  it  is 
the  groaning  of  avarice, — but  how  can  I  urge  the  business 


CORRESrONDENCE.  121 

farther  ?  Poor  agents  1  In  the  prospect  of  becoming  one 
of  their  fraternity  for  a  few  weeks,  I  begin  to  exercise 
toward  them  an  unwonted  compassion."  *  * 

To  the  same. 

"Philadelphia,  Sept.  11th,  1836. 

"  Mr.  Patton's  offered  agency  would  so  embarrass  my 
plans  for  the  coming  weeks,  that  I  finally  concluded  to 
decline  it,  and  therefore  came  to  this  city  yesterday. 
From  the  fact  that  I  have  changed  my  mind  as  to  pro- 
ceeding West  directly,  my  friends  here  more  than  suspect 
that  I  have  peculiar  reasons  for  it.         *  *  * 

"The  great  valley  of  the  West  is  now  in  its  infancy. 
It  is  destined  to  become  a  giant,  omnipotent  in  its  energies 
for  the  weal  or  woe  of  this  country  and  the  world. 

"  It  has  been  said  that  Paris  has  twice  revolutionized 
France.  What  Paris  is  to  France,  Cincinnati  is  to  the 
great  valley.  It  is  the  commercial,  literary,  and  religious 
emporium  of  a  territory,  more  expansive,  more  fertile,  more 
adapted  to  sustain  uncounted  myriads  of  immortal  souls, 
than  any  ever  before  embraced  under  one  system  of  laws 
and  moral  influences.  Cincinnati  is  the  point  of  the  greatest 
influence,  present  and  prospective,  which  can  be  selected 
in  the  length  and  breadth  of  the  valley.  It  is  central  for 
the  whole  West.  It  has  gained  the  vantage-ground  of  all 
rivals  in  intellect  and  wealth.  It  is  conscious  of  its  power 
and  disposed  to  exercise  it. 

"  Where  would  one  wish  to  spend  life,  if  not  at  such  a 
position,  where  rivulets  of  influence  may  be  sent  forth  to 
grow  broader  and  deeper,  until  their  pure  waters  shall 
lave  every  hamlet  of  the  West?  Daniel  Webster  once 
thanked  God  that  he  was  born  when  and  where  he  was 
born  ;  in  a  glorious  era — in  a  happy  country!  I  can  thank 
God  that  he  has  so  guided  me  in  his  providence  that  my 
moral  influence  has  for  five  years  been  expended  upon  the 

11* 


122        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

germ  of  a  great  nation  ;  upon  elements  of  being  destined, 
in  their  increase  and  combination,  to  control  the  welfare 
of  a  Avorld.  ******* 

"  I  do  claim  to  have  an  intense  desire  for  the  diffusion 
of  a  proper  influence  over  the  West.  This,  for  five  years, 
has  been  my  ruling  passion.  I  have  labored  for  it  with 
almost  a  martyr  si^irit."         ***** 

To  the  same. 

"Philadelphia,  Sept.  14th,  1836. 
*  *  *  *  <<  I  preached  twice  in  one  of  the 
churches  of  this  city  yesterday,  and  have  agreed  to  supply 
the  Third  Church  next  Sabbath.  I  have  been  spoken  to 
ten  times  to  settle  in  this  city  ;  but  my  voice  is  still  '  for 
the  expansive  West.'  So  long  as  nothing  interferes  to 
impair  my  usefulness  at  Cincinnati,  I  must  regard  it  as 
my  home.  There  I  commenced  my  ministry ;  there  I 
have  gained  whatever  of  influence  and  character  God  has 
given  me  in  my  profession ;  there  I  have  enjoyed  a  large 
measure  of  happiness,  as  well  as  endured  severe  suffering — 
there  is  my  home.         ****** 

"  Have  you  ever  been  in  this  city  ?  To  me,  this  place  is 
far  more  attractive  than  New  York.  True,  there  is  no  one 
view  here  so  imposing  as  that  which  meets  your  eye  in 
advancing  up  Broadway  from  the  Battery  toward  the 
Park.  Philadelphia  is  more  modest.  She  has  little  to 
dazzle  and  fascinate  at  first  sight ;  but  here  you  can  take 
your  stand  at  fifty  different  points,  and  have  the  same 
great  city  still  before  you.  In  wandering  from  street  to 
street,  you  insensibly  gain  the  impression  that  you  are  in 
the  midst  of  a  people  more  anxious  to  enjoy  life  than  to 
hold  out  signals  of  such  enjoyment;  more  solicitous  to 
possess  wealth,  for  the  comforts  it  will  purchase,  than  to 
astonish  the  multitude  by  the  appearance  of  affluence." 


CORRESrONDENCE.  123 

Dr.  Beecher  to  Rev.  T,  Brainerd. 

"  Boston,  Sept.  24th,  1836. 

"  Bkloved  Son  and  Brother: 

"Yours  of  the  15th  reached  me  only  yesterday.  *  * 
"  I  have  fully  expected,  and  have  understood  it  to  be 
the  desire  and  expectation  of  my  people,  that  you  should 
be  settled  as  a  colleague  with  me,  as  soon  as  your  place  at 
the  Journal  could  be  supplied  ;  the  definite  arrange- 
ments, of  course,  can  be  made  only  by  our  presence  and 
agency  Avith  the  people.  But  that  you  ought  to  go  on, 
and  must  go  on,  cannot  be  doubted  for  a  moment.  No 
man  can  be  withdrawn  from  our  ranks  at  the  West  now 
with  so  much  evil,  as  yourself.  Your  extensive  knowl- 
edge and  influence  and  tact  cannot  be  found  in  another, 
and  cannot  be  dispensed  with  in  you.  I  wonder  that  any- 
body should  think  of  detaining  you  from  us.  Nor  does 
the  safety  or  expediency  of  your  going  turn  at  all  on  the 
success  of  our  plans  in  respect  to  the  Second  Church.  If 
that  were  out  of  the  question,  we  must  have  you  with  us 
and  will ;  for  we  must  now  organize  East  and  West  thor- 
oughly, to  meet  coming  events.  God  and  our  country  call 
us  to  stand — '  and  having  done  all  to  stand.'' 

"  The  destiny  of  the  church.  East  and  West,  is  deeply  in- 
volved in  the  manner  in  which  we  hold  together  or  sepa- 
rate. You  can  settle,  if  need  be,  in  twenty  places,  and  you 
may  safely  go,  and  must  go,  and  not  listen  for  a  moment 
to  overtures  this  side.  I  shall  break  down  and  die  if  you 
break  away.  I  could  say  much  more,  but  intend  to  see 
you  in  New  York  and  have  a  full  talk.  I  hope  you  will 
be  able  to  make  your  arrangements  to  go  on  with  me  about 
two  weeks  hence.  I  request  you  by  all  means  to  meet  me 
in  New  York,  and  to  make  no  engagements  contrary  to 
my  hopes.  Affectionately  yours, 

"  Lyman  Beeciier." 


124        LIFE   OF  REV.  THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

Dr.  Lyman  Beecher  to  T.  Brainerd. 

"Boston,  Sept.  29th,  18.36. 

"  My  dear  Son  and  Brother  : 

"  I  wrote  immediately  to  New  Haven,  in  reply  to  your 
former  letter.  If  there  i.s  any  change  in  the  plans  of  ray 
church  and  people,  I  am  not  so  apprised  of  it  as  would  make 
it  judicious  to  act  upon  it.  But,  as  I  shall  return  two 
weeks  before  you,  I  think  it  best  to  go  home  and  ascertain 
the  condition  of  things.  It  will  be  a  grievous  disappoint- 
ment to  me  to  part  with  you,  after  having  so  long  and 
with  so  much  comfort  and  affection  leaned  upon  you, 
where  few,  like-minded  and  capable,  would  have  been 
found  to  aid  me  through  the  fiery  trial ;  and  I  shall  do 
whatever  may  be  done  to  consummate  our  anticipations  of 
a  permanent  union.  If  this  should  fail,  for  you  know  the 
inconstancy  of  human  affairs,  I  can  even  then  by  no  means 
relinquish,  and  hope  you  will  not  relinquish,  the  idea  of 
consecrating  your  remaining  days  at  the  West.  I  doubt 
not  arrangements  can  be  and  will  be  made  to  retain  you. 

********** 

"  The  pending  crisis  ought  not  to  come  on  with  all  possible 
preparation  on  one  side  and  none  on  the  other.  Your  pres- 
ence will  be  imperiously  needed.  "We  cannot  spare  you  from 
our  circles.     ******** 

"I  shall  be  in  JS'ew  York  on  Saturday  next,  and  on 
Monday  and  Tuesday  following.  We  must  have  a  gen- 
eral consultation  of  ministers  and  laymen,  and  organize 
thoroughly  in  New  York ;  and  the  same  should  be  done 
in  Philadelphia. 

"  In  the  mean  time,  should  all  our  hopes  be  blasted  and 
God  should  station  you  in  Philadelphia,  then  I  shall  be- 
lieve that  you  are  after  all  more  needed  there,  and  will  do 
even  more  good  than  at  the  West.  Rely  on  my  gratitude 
and  affection  forever.         *         *         *        It  is  the  way  of 


CORRESPONDENCE.  125 

Heaven  to  do  for  us  better  than  our  fears  and  exceeding 
abundantly  beyond  all  we  ask  or  think. 

"Affectionately  yours, 

"Lyman  Beecher." 

To  Mrs.  W. 

"Philadelphia,  Oct.  4th,  183C. 
"  The  people  of  the  Third  Church  have  taken  into  their 
heads  an  idea  that  I  must  become  their  pastor,  and  have 
sent  an  Elder  to  confer  with  me  this  morning  on  the  sub- 
ject. I  preached  twice  yesterday,  and  attended  a  prayer- 
meeting  last  night.  The  congregation  was  the  largest 
which  has  assembled  there  for  three  months.  I  get  up  in 
the  pulpit,  and  preach  away  as  hard  as  I  can,  without  the 
least  regard  to  tones  or  gestures  ;  without  the  least  effort 
to  be  graceful ;  and  it  seems  to  me  not  a  little  strange  that 
I  should  so  repeatedly  be  selected  for  refined  city  churches. 
For  some  reason  or  other,  while  hundreds  of  better  men 
are  overlooked,  it  has  been  my  destiny  to  pass  for  more 
than  I  am  worth.  I  feel  deeply  humbled  when  I  see  good 
men  soliciting  ray  services  as  a  privilege. 

"  I  do  not  know  yet  as  I  could  possibly  make  up  my 
mind  to  stay  at  the  East.  I  most  intensely  love  the  West. 
There,  with  the  self-sacrifice  and  perseverance,  if  not  with 
the  godliness  of  a  martyr,  I  have  labored  five  years;  there 
I  have  formed  a  thousand  acquaintances,  almost  all  of 
whom  have  met  me  with  the  demeanor  of  kindness  ;  there 
I  have  acquired  whatever  of  professional  reputation  I  now 
enjoy  ;  there  I  have  formed  great  plans,  as  I  surveyed  au 
empire  of  mind  waiting  the  impress  of  truth  and  the  mes- 
sage of  salvation.  Can  I  leave  such  ties?  Now  the  press- 
ure is  laid  upon  my  conscience  and  I  know  not  how  to 
decide. 

"  If  I  remain  in  Cincinnati,  I  shall  be  in  the  city  and 
Dr.  Beecher  will  reside  out  of  the  city.     I  shall  be  obliged 


126        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRA  NERD,  D.D. 

to  perform  all  the  pastoral  labor,  and  bear  all  the  burdens 
of  hospitality.  I  shall  be  compelled  to  meet  all  the  re- 
sponsibilities of  a  city  minister. 

"  In  refusing  to  go  to  TJtica  I  made  a  pecuniary  sacrifice 
in  salary  of  several  hundred  dollars  a  year.  I  did  it 
cheerfully  for  my  love  to  the  West. 

"  I  feel  the  force  of  Dr.  Beecher's  appeals.  To  separate 
myself  from  communion  with  his  giant  intellect  and  noble 
heart  will  be  a  sore  trial.  I  love  him  as  a  father.  I  could 
cheerfully  spend  my  life  in  alleviating  his  labors  and  cheer- 
ing his  work;  but  I  cannot  consent,  not  only  to  occupy 
the  place  of  colleague,  but  to  do  it  under  the  embarrass- 
ment caused  by  getting  a  part  of  my  support  by  editorial 
laljor.  To  Cincinnati  I  have  been  a  true  son, — but  I  have 
trundled  two  loaded  wheelbarrows  long  enough,  and  must 
now  content  myself  with  moving  one. 

"  I  wish  you  would  hold  a  steady  purpose  to  go  West, 
and  then  wait  the  developments  of  divine  Providence." 

When  Mr.  Brainerd  came  East,  his  nephew,  Carlos 
Brainerd,  then  a  member  of  Lane  Theological  Seminary, 
remained  at  Cincinnati.  In  a  letter  to  him,  dated  Sep- 
tember IGth,  1836,  he  writes  : 

"  My  life,  I  think,  Avill  not  be  a  long  one.  I  want  you 
to  be  an  able  preacher  when  I  am  dead.  Be  wide  awake 
to  improve  opportunities  to  gain  information,  and  to  secure 
a  happy  mode  of  imparting  it.  The  difference  among 
mea  of  common  sense  is  about  this  :  one  man  keeps  his 
eyes  and  ears  open  to  receive  impressions,  and  then  em- 
ploys his  reflective  powers  in  arranging  and  preserving 
these  impressions  for  use.  Another  man  is  always  asleep; 
or  if  half  awake,  he  is  putting  forth  no  energy  of  mind  to 
any  purpose.  Waste  no  time  ;  read,  write  a  letter,  make 
poetry ;  anything,  better  than  dozing.     Cultivate  a  manly 


MARRFAGE.  121 

and  graceful  mode  of  address ;  and  in  order  to  this,  con- 
stantly observe  the  habits  of  well-bred  men  for  imita- 
tion."* 

In  a  letter  dated  Philadelphia,  October  Yth,  183G,  Mr. 
Brainerd  says:  "Dr.  Beecher  is  married  to-day.  He 
started  last  and  has  come  out  first." 

The  three  clergymen  who  left  Cincinnati  together,  each 
having  lost  his  wife  the  year  before,  returned  in  the  fall, 
married.  Several  of  the  Western  papers  published  the 
fact,  heading  the  notice,  "  Celibacy  of  the  Clergy."  Then 
followed,  in  a  group,  the  record  of  these  three  marriages  : 
Dr.  Beecher's,  Mr.  Labaree's,  and  Mr.  Brainerd's. 

Mr.  Brainerd  was  married  at  Kew  Haven,  by  Rev. 
Leonard  Bacon,  D.D.,  to  Mary  Whiting,  on  the  29th  of 
October,  1836.  They  left  for  New  York  the  same  day, 
and  after  a  visit  of  nearly  three  weeks,  to  their  friends  in 
the  northern  part  of  the  State,  returned  to  Philadelphia  on 
the  18th  of  November. 

Mr.  Brainerd  preached  in  Pine  Street  Church  the  next 
Sabbath,  with  renewed  and  urgent  solicitations  to  become 
their  pastor.  He  left  the  question  open,  promising  to  give 
them  a  definite  answer  soon  after  his  return  to  Cincinnati. 
When  he  left  in  May,  he  expected  to  be  absent  about  six 
weeks,  and  the  events  which  no  man  foreseeth  led  him 
through  a  period  of  six  months. 

He  left  Philadelphia  on  the  23d  of  November,  in  an 
old-fashioned  stage-coach,  and  reached  Cincinnati  on  the 
5th  of  December,  after  twelve  days'  journey. 

The  complication  of  affairs  during  his  absence,  the  ne- 
cessity of  uniting  abundant  pastoral  labor  with  the  vexa- 
tions of  editorship,  by  remaining  as  colleague  with  Dr. 

•■■  This  nejihcw,  to  whom  Mr.  Brainerd  was  much  attached,  died  in 
the  fall  of  18.37,  of  typhoid  fever, — the  last  member  of  his  Cincinnati 
family'. 


128   LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

Beechcr  in  the  Second  Church,  induced  Mr.  Brainerd  to 
lay  down  the  double  burden,  each  demanding  his  whole 
time  and  strength,  for  one  which  could  do  no  more. 

Mr.  Brainerd  received  one  thousand  dollars  a  year  for 
editing  the  Cincinnati  Journal,  and  about  two  hundred 
additional  wa.s  all  that  he  realized  for  his  assistance  in  the 
Second  Church. 

The  vastly  cheaper  rates  of  living  of  that  day  over  the 
present,  as  will  be  seen  by  recalling  the  items  enumerated 
by  Mr.  Brainerd  in  his  sketch  of  his  first  pastorate,  made 
twelve  hundred  dollars  then  equivalent  to  four  times  that 
sum  now.  He  often  noted  the  fact,  that  in  Cincinnati  he 
used  money  more  freely,  and  had  it  more  freely  to  use, 
than  at  any  later  period  of  his  life.  But  then,  as  noAV,  the 
churches  never  incurred  the  censure  of  spoiling  their  pas- 
tors by  luxurious  indulgence.  Rev.  Mr.  Patterson's  judg- 
ment bears  the  indorsement  of  the  universal  brotherhood. 
He  used  to  say,  "he  thought  clergymen  ought  to  be  hum- 
ble, and  ought  to  be  poor ;  he  had  often  prayed  to  be  kept 
humble,  but  he  never  prayed  to  be  poor;  he  could  trust 
the  churches  for  that V  How  often  "the  bed  is  shorter 
than  that  a  man  can  stretch  himself  on  it,  and  the  cover- 
ing narrower  than  that  he  can  wrap  himself  in  it." 

Almost  immediately  after  his  arrival  in  Cincinnati,  the 
official  "call"  from  the  Third  Church,  dated  Oct.  31st, 
1836,  was  forwarded  to  him,  backed  by  cordial  and  hearty 
letters  from  several  persons,  and  was  accepted.  The  trial 
of  breaking  loose  from  his  cherished  associations,  of  meet- 
ing the  sorrowful  acquiescence  of  Dr.  Beecher,  of  super- 
intending the  auction  sale  of  his  household  furniture,  of 
making  farewell  visits  to  the  places  and  friends  of  his 
early  life  ;  all  combined,  were  more  than  he  was  prepared 
for,  and  occasioned  several  da^-s'  illness.  But  it  was  the 
rule  of  his  life  to  do  resolutely  what  he  had  to  do,  and  in 
live  weeks  he  was  ready  to  return  to  Philadelphia. 


CORRESPONDENCE.  129 

"  Philadelphia,  Nov.  1st,  1836. 

"  Rev.  and  dear  Sir: 

"  The  congregation  of  the  Third  Presbyterian  Church 
in  this  city  met  last  evening,  agreeable  to  public  notice, 
for  the  purpose  of  choosing  a"  pastor. 

"  The  undersigned,  members  of  the  session,  a  committee 
appointed  for  the  purpose,  talie  great  pleasure  in  commu- 
nicating to  you  the  information  of  your  election  to  that 
office.  They  would  also  acquaint  you  that  two  thousand 
dollars  per  annum  was  voted  for  your  support. 

"  In  the  selection  of  yourself  as  their  pastor,  we  doubt 
not  but  they  have  been  directed  by  the  great  Head  of  the 
Church,  in  answer  to  their  frequent  and  fervent  prayers  ; 
and  we  humbly  trust  you  will  feel  it  your  duty,  under 
Divine  guidance,  to  accede  to  the  wishes  of  the  congrega- 
tion, and  come  and  labor  among  us  in  building  up  this 
portion  of  Zion. 

"  Yours  in  Christian  affection, 

"  R.  W.  Davenport, 
"  JouN  R.  McMutten, 

"  Committee.' 

The  following  letter  was  addressed  to  Mr.  Braiuerd  by 
members  of  the  Third  Presbytery: 

"Philadelphia,  Deo.  16th,  1836. 

"  Rev.  Thos.  Brainerd. 
"  Dear  Brother: 
"It  may  be  of  some  importance  that  you  know  the 
opinion  of  your  brethren  as  to  ihe  course  best  for  you  to  pur- 
sue. In  a  word,  we  would  recommend  that  you  come  on 
forthwith.  It  is  high  time  that  church  should  be  regularly 
supplied  ;*  and  every  day's  delay  is  a  serious  injury  to  the 


The  pulpit  had  then  been  vacant  fur  more  than  two  jears. 

12 


130        LIFE  OF  REV.  THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

general    interests    of    religion.       The    sooner,    therefore, 
Brother  Brainerd  is  on  the  ground,  the  better. 
"  Thus  advises,  your  brother  in  the  gospel, 

"  John  L.  Grant, 

"And  thus  says,  with  all  his  heart, 

"  A.  Barnes, 
"  John  W.  Scott, 
"  E.  Phelps, 
"  G.  N.  JUDD. 

"  Mr.  Duffield  and  others  Avould  have  signed  this,  bat 
were  not  present." 

Two  members  of  the  Old  School  party  in  Cincinnati 
were  moved  to  write  to  individuals  in  Philadelphia,  both 
in  the  Third  Presbytery  as  well  as  in  the  Third  Church, 
to  endeavor  to  stir  up  prejudice  against  Mr.  Brainerd,  on 
the  ground  of  his  New-Schoolism. 

We  give  a  letter  from  the  Rev.  J.  W.  Scott. 

"Philadelphia,  Dec.  14th,  1836. 

"  It  was  hoped  that  you  would  commence  your  minis- 
terial work  in  this  church  with  the  commencement  of  the 
new  year,  but  I  suppose  this  will  be  impracticable.  I 
spent  a  short  time  with  Dr.  Ely  on  Monday  ;  he  expressed 
his  approbation  of  the  choice  of  the  congregation,  and  the 
pleasure  he  felt  in  the  prospect  that  they  will  soon  have  a 
pastor,  who,  under  the  divine  auspices,  will  be  instru- 
mental in  promoting  their  spiritual  prosperity. 

"  The  letters  received  from  Dr.   W and  Rev.  Mr. 

B — '■ —  were  what  might  have  been  expected  from  such 
men  ;  but  I  did  suppose  that  a  man  of  Dr.  W 's  repu- 
tation had  more  magnanimity  in  his  moral  constitution, 


FAREWELL   TO   EDITORSHIP.  131 

and  move  dignity  of  character,  than  to  indulge  in  sneering 
at  the  good  opinion  which  others  express  of  those  who  do 
not  entirely  agree  with  him  in  his  measures.  But  for  such 
men  we  have,  I  trust,  both  pity  and  prayers.  May  God 
give  them  a  better  spirit,  and  a  more  practical  regard  for 
the  law  of  Christ,  by  the  observance  of  which  his  disci- 
ples may  '  be  known  of  all  men.'  " 

Mr.  Brainerd  had  not  yet  officially  resigned  his  editor- 
ship of  the  Cincinnati  Journal.  In  his  temporary  absence 
he  continued  to  furnish  articles  for  its  columns.  In  the 
paper  of  December  15th,  1836,  he  publishes  his  farewell. 
Speaking  of  the  period  when  he  commenced  his  labors,  he 
says  : 

"  At  that  time  the  waves  of  ecclesiastical  controversy 
rolled  high  and  threatening.  Shoals  and  quicksands  lay 
all  around  us.  False  lights  were  gleaming  on  every 
side.  The  vessel  itself,  by  the  misfortunes  of  other  com- 
manders, and  stress  of  weather,  was  in  a  leaky  condition, 
and,  by  many,  condemned  as  unseaworthy;  and  not  a  few 
stood  on  the  shore,  hat  in  hand,  ready  to  shout  if  she 
went  down.  The  cargo  was  valuable.  She  was  freighted 
with  the  'bread  of  life'  for  thousands  and  tens  of  thou- 
sands. To  take  the  helm  at  such  a  period  required  more 
skill  than  we  possessed.  Days  of  anxiety  and  almost 
sleepless  nights  followed  each  other  for  weeks  and  months, 
until  experience  had  inspired  courage  to  face  the  angry 
elements  without  apprehension.  Sometimes  the  clouds 
seemed  to  divide  and  promise  a  great  calm.  We  looked 
for  the  rainbow  of  peace,  but  looked  in  vain. 

"  No  sooner  had  one  exciting  subject  relinquished  its 
grasp  upon  the  public  mind  but  another  succeeded.  The 
last  four  years,  above  their  predecessors,  have  been  distin- 
guished for  a  succession  of  moral  earthquakes  which  have 
convulsed  society.     While  our  readers  have  been  divided 


132        LIFE  OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

into  parties,  mutually  distrusting  each  other,  it  has  often 
been  our  lot  to  occupy  a  middle  position,  where  no  party 
could  fully  approve  our  course,  where  our  want  of  parti- 
sanship has  been  a  crime  inviting  reprehension  from  those 
who  could  never  agree  except  in  their  mutual  dislike  of 
prudence  and  moderation. 

"  In  retiring  from  our  post,  we  are  cheered  with  the  be- 
lief that  we  have  poisoned  no  weapons  to  rankle  in  the 
hearts  of  our  readers.  We  have  carried  on  no  envenomed 
personal  controversies  with  good  men.  Our  friends  have 
been  many  and  constant,  our  enemies  few.  Those  who 
have  injured  us  we  forgive.  If  an  unadvised  word  from 
us  has  inflicted  pain  upon  others,  we  crave  forgiveness. 
We  part  in  peace  with  all. 

"  Wherever  our  lot  may  be  cast  in  life,  or  whatever 
may  be  our  earthly  destiny,  it  will  be  pleasant  to  reflect, 
that  we  have  mingled,  to  some  extent,  a  good  influence 
with  the  elements  which  are  to  give  character  to  the  hun- 
dred millions  who  will  yet  have  their  habitations  on  the 
long  rivers  and  broad  plains  of  the  great  valley, —  we  have 
had  a  humble  share  in  the  attempt  to  diff'use  the  lights  of 
literature  and  religion  over  the  fairest  domain  on  the  face 
of  the  earth. 

"  Long  before  the  West  shall  have  reached  that  eleva- 
tion of  Vealth,  intelligence,  and  moral  excellence  for  which 
she  is  destined,  this  hand  will  be  cold  and  this  heart  will 
be  still.  But  there  is  another  and  a  better  world,  where 
our  friendship  shall  be  renewed  and  perpetuated,  and 
where  the  results  of  Christian  efforts  will  be  garnered  up. 
In  that  home  of  the  righteous  may  all  our  kind  readers  find 
a  habitation." 

Most  grateful  to  his  heart  were  the  assurances  of  confi- 
dence and  affection  from  those  beloved  brethren  with  whom 
he  had  labored  in  these  past  years,  conveyed  in  the  accom- 
panying letter : 


CORRESPONDENCE.  I33 

"Dear  Brother  Brainerd: 

"  The  subscribers,  members  of  the  pastoral  meetin<^  in 
which  we  have  for  so  long-  a  time  borne  one  another's 
burdens,  and  mingled  our  counsels  and  joj'S  and  sorrows, 
cannot,  without  regret,  give  you  the  parting  hand,  or  per- 
mit you  to  depart  without  the  assurance  of  our  affection 
and  confidence  in  you  as  a  faitliful  brother — commending 
you,  also,  to  the  grace  of  God  in  your  new  sphere  of  labor, 
where,  if  you  must  leave  us,  we  rejoice  that  you  are  to  be 
stationed;  and  where,  we  doubt  not,  God  will  crown  with 
success  your  labor,  in  the  feeding  of  the  lambs  of  the 
flock,  in  the  edification  of  the  saints,  and  in  winning  souls 
to  Christ. 

"  Lyman  Beecher,         Benjamin  Graves, 
"  B.  Dickinson,  Herman  Norton, 

"  Thomas  J.  Biggs,        Thornton  A.  Mills, 
"  John  Spaulding. 

"Cincinnati,  Jan.  10th,  1837." 

Mr.  Braiuerd's  Beply. 

"Dear  Brethren: 

"  Please  accept  my  grateful  acknowledgments  for  3'our 
kind  note.  Next  to  the  pleasure  arising  from  a  conscious- 
ness of  having  aimed  to  do  well,  is  the  satisfaction  of  find- 
ing our  efforts  approved  by  those  who  are  capable  of  judg- 
ing impartially.  The  pain  of  parting  with  brethren  whom 
I  have  so  much  reason  to  respect  and  love,  is  only  alle- 
viated by  the  consideration  that,  in  following  the  paths  of 
duty  to  a  distant  field,  I  shall  still  be  engaged  in  that 
glorious  cause,  which  we  mutually  love,  and  to  which  our 
mutual  labors  and  prayers  have  been  hitherto  devoted.  I 
know  the  singleness  of  heart  with  which  you  have  desired 
to  diflfuse  an  evangelical  influence  throughout  the  great 

12* 


134        LIFE   OF  REV.  THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

valley,  and  shall  never  cease  to  pray  that  you  may  see  the 
great  work  consummated.  Yours  truly, 

"  T.  Brainerd." 

On  the  11th  of  January  Mr.  Brainerd  left  Cincinnati  to 
return  to  Philadelphia.  Dr.  Beecher,  in  parting  with  him, 
threw  both  arms  around  him,  kissed  him  twice,  and  with 
eyes  full  of  tears,  said :  "  Brainerd,  I  feel  as  if  I  were 
losing  my  right  hand  !" 

Again  the  lumbering  stage  made  its  slow  winter  journey 
across  the  mountains.  It  carried  nine  passengers,  and, 
stopping  over  two  Sabbaths  on  the  way,  reached  Philadel- 
phia on  the  25th,  after  two  weeks'  weary  travel. 

But  one  incident  occurred  to  vary  the  monotony  of  the 
journey.  In  crossing  the  Alleghanies,  the  stage-horses, 
from  some  cause,  took  fright.  1  he  first  intimation  to  the 
passengers  was  a  bound  of  the  vehicle,  which  threw  the 
dfiver  from  his  seat  to  the  ground,  and  then  the  four  young 
horses  dashed  down  one  hill  and  up  another,  whirling  on 
the  very  edge  of  the  icy  precipice  which  bordered  the  way. 
The  gentlemen  looked  out  in  dismay.  There  was  no  driver 
on  the  box,  and  the  reins  were  tangling  under  the  horses' 
feet.  One  man  got  out  of  the  door,  clambered  over  the 
top  of  the  stage  and  reached  the  driver's  seat,  but  was 
powerless  to  guide  or  check  the  horses  without  reins.  Mr. 
Brainerd  stood  on  the  step,  between  the  wheels ;  the 
horses  ran  up  a  long  hill,  called  the  Laurel  Ridge,  slack- 
ening their  speed  a  little  toward  the  top,  for  a  heavy 
stage  with  nine  passengers  and  their  baggage  was  no 
trifling  weight  for  their  six  miles  run.  At  this  point  he 
sprang  off  and  ran  ahead  until  he  caught  and  held  the 
leaders.  The  whole  party  now  got  out  of  the  stage  to 
assure  themselves  of  safety,  and,  after  a  careful  examina- 
tion of  the  horses  and  harness,  two  of  the  passengers  vol- 
unteered to  drive  on  to  the  next  stopping-place  and  there  get 


INSTALLATION  IN  PHILADELPHIA.  135 

a  light  wagon  to  go  back  for  the  driver.  This  was  done. 
The  driver  was  not  much  hurt.  He  was  overtaken  on  foot, 
in  great  anxiety  respecting  the  fate  of  his  team  and  passen- 
gers.    There  were  six  men  and  three  women  in  the  stage. 

On  reaching  Philadelphia,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brainerd  were 
invited  to  the  house  of  Mr.  John  C.  Farr,  one  of  the  elders 
of  Pine  Street  Church,  until  they  could  make  arrangements 
for  a  more  permanent  location.  Dr.  Ely  was  in  the  city 
on  a  visit,  and  on  the  first  Sabbath  of  Mr.  Brai nerd's  ser- 
vices as  pastor  of  the  church  he  cordially  welcomed  his 
successor  to  the  sympathies,  affections,  and  prayers  of  the 
church  in  the  presence  of  an  unusually  large  congrega- 
tion. 

The  installation  services  were  appointed  for  the  first 
Sabbath  in  March,  1837.  The  sermon  was  preached  by 
the  Rev.  Albert  Barnes,  from  II.  Cor.  v.  20:  "Now,  then, 
we  are  ambassadors  for  Christ." 

The  Rev.  John  L.  Grant  proposed  the  constitutional 
questions;  the  Rev.  Dr.  EU'  delivered  the  charges  to  the 
pastor  and  people,  and  the  Rev.  George  Dufiield  offered 
the  prayer  and  benediction. 


CHAPTER    VIII. 

LIFE    IN     PHILADELPHIA. 

THE  year  1837,  so  full  of  e.xciteraent  and  solicitude  to 
those  who  regarded  the  welfare  of  the  church  at  larg'e, 
rolled  on  with  its  burden  of  hopes  and  fears. 

In  April  the  congregation  of  the  Third  Church  com- 
menced a  very  thorough  renovation  of  the  house,  remodel- 
ing it  at  an  expense  of  $19,000.  This  work  was  completed 
late  in  the  fall.  For  two  months  the  congregation  held  an 
afternoon  service  in  the  Baptist  Church  in  Spruce  Street. 
The  new  lecture-room,  in  the  basement  of  the  church,  was 
opened  for  service  on  the  16th  of  June;  after  which  time 
the  people  again  worshiped  in  their  home  sanctuary.  Mr. 
Brainerd's  sermon  on  this  occasion  was  from  the  text, 
"  What  mean  ye  by  these  stones?" — Joshua,  iv.  6. 

But  his  Western  friends  were  unwilling  to  leave  him  in 
quiet  possession  of  his  new  field  of  labor.  The  following 
letter  was  received  from  a  gentleman  in  St.  Louis,  Mo.: 

"Aug.  29th,  1837. 

"  Rev.  Thos  Brainerd. 
"De.\r  Sir: 
"We  have  been  without  a  pastor  since  last  May,  when 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Wisner  left  us,  on  account  of  the  decline  of  his 
health.     We  have  looked  around  upon  the  ministry  of  the 
church  to  find  a  person  suited  to  this  station,  and  we  have 
been  encouraged  to  hope  that  you  might  be  induced  to 
come  to  our  help.    We  have  an  active  church,  all  of  whom 
are  living  in  perfect  freedom  from  the  distractions  which 
(136) 


CORRESPONDENCE.  ]3t 

are  found  in  other  parts  of  the  church.  We  have  here  no 
Old  School,  and  no  New  School,  as  parties ;  and  we  all 
deplore  without  participating  in  the  strifes  that  are  rend- 
ing the  church  in  other  places. 

"  We  are  persuaded  there  is  not  in  the  United  States  a 
place,  with  the  exception  of  New  Orleans,  in  which  a 
church  can  exercise  an  influence  so  extended  as  the  one  to 
which  we  belong.  Here  is  to  be  found  a  continual  con- 
course of  strangers  from  all  parts  of  the  Union,  and  this 
city  is  the  commercial  center  of  a  very  great  extent  of 
territory. 

"  The  congregation  is  one  of  a  very  high  degree  of  in- 
telligence, requiring  to  be  constantly  fed  Avith  strong  food. 
We  must,  if  possible,  have  a  pastor  not  only  of  eminent 
personal  piety,  but  one  of  high  talent,  and  one  who  is  an 
agreeable  speaker. 

"After  due  consideration,  Ave  have  determined  to  ask 
whether  you  can  accept  a  call  to  become  our  pastor.  We 
propose  it  in  this  form,  because,  with  the  uncertainty  that 
rests  upon  our  minds  whether  you  would  accept  our  call, 
we  think  it  not  advisable  to  incur  the  delay  of  a  regular 
meeting  of  the  church  to  make  out  the  call.  At  the  same 
time,  we  assure  you  that,  if  you  can  come,  we  will  have 
the  call  regularly  made  as  soon  as  we  receive  your  assent 
to  our  proposition. 

"  We  have  been  influenced  in  this  application  by  the 
consideration  that  you  are  a  Western  mmi,  acquainted 
with  the  feelings  and  manners  of  the  West.  The  salary 
will  be  such  as  will  render  you  altogether  comfortable. 

"  We  ask  your  kind  and  immediate  consideration  of  the 
subject  proposed,  and  remain 

"  Yours  very  respectfully, 

"  (For  the  Session),  "  H.  R.  Gamble." 

This  letter  was  accompanied  by  another,  from  a  personal 
friend. 


138        LIFE  OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

"St.  Louis,  Aug.  31st,  1837. 

"  Dear  Brother  Bratnerd  : 

"  Learning  from  the  Elders  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
here,  of  their  intention  to  correspond  with  you  on  the  sub- 
ject of  your  becoming  their  pastor,  I  take  the  liberty  of 
addressing  a  line  to  you  in  relation  to  this  matter. 

"  I  have  become  acquainted  with  the  Elders  and  many 
of  the  church  members,  and  have  had  the  opportunity  of 
knowing  the  standing  of  the  church  with  the  respectable 
part  of  the  community,  and  of  the  influence  it  exerts  upon 
them.  I  know  of  no  church  in  the  West  that  embraces  so 
much  wealth,  so  much  respectability,  and  so  many  active 
male  members.  At  a  prayer-meeting,  on  Saturday  even- 
ing, I  saw  some  of  the  richest  lawyers  and  merchants  in 
the  city.  At  the  Sabbath-schools,  which  are  large  and 
interesting,  I  saw  the  same  class  of  persons  engaged  as 
teachers.  The  Session  and  church  are  very  much  united, 
and  liberal  in  their  views  and  feelings.  You  would  be 
astonished  at  the  growth  of  this  city.  Its  wharf  is  always 
lined  with  steamboats,  seldom  less  than  thirty. 

"In  my  opinion,  this  church  is  a  more  important  one 
than  any  in  Cincinnati,  and  the  prospect  for  usefulness 
very  great  indeed.  If  it  is  at  all  consistent  for  you  to 
come,  they  would  be  unanimous  in  a  call,  and  you  may 
confidently  expect  much  warm-hearted  co-operation  from 
the  Session  and  church. 

"You  know  the  kind  of  man  they  want;  a  man  of 
talents,  a  good  speaker,  and  one  whose  own  feelings  are 
enlisted  in  his  sermons. 

"  May  the  Lord  direct  you.  Two  things  have  urged 
me  to  write  this  letter,  a  sense  of  duty  and  my  love  to  you. 

"  Your  friend, 

"  Robert  Boal." 

Mr.  Brainerd  at  once  discouraged  all  hope  of  his  accept- 
ance of  this  field,  and  suggested  to  the  Session  the  names 


LIFE  IN  PHILADELPniA.  139 

of  two  or  three  clergymen  whom  he  thought  available, 
and  adapted  to  their  wants. 

On  the  2nh  of  September,  1837,  Mr.  Brainerd's  first 
child  was  born,  which  he  named  Thomas  Chalmers.  He 
said  life  seemed  duplicated  in  value  and  interest  from  that 
hour. 

The  church  was  finished  and  re-dedicated  for  service  in 
November  of  this  year.  On  the  29th  of  the  same  month 
Mr.  Brainerd's  father  died,  in  the  eighty-fourth  year  of  his 
age.  He  had  been  up  to  visit  him,  for  the  last  time,  a  few 
weeks  previous  to  his  death.  His  father  was  a  man  of 
the  strictest  integrity,  and  bore  such  a  reputation  for 
honesty,  that  a  rough,  scoffing  blacksmith  said  of  him, 
"  There  never  was  but  one  Christian  in  Lewis  County, 
and  that  was  Mr.  Jesse  Brainerd,  for  he  had  seen  him  sell 
Avheat,  during  the  war  of  1812,  half  a  dollar  per  bushel 
below  the  market  price,  because  he  said  '  wheat  was  not 
worth  more  than  two  dollars  a  bushel.'"  At  another 
time  he  purchased  a  cow  of  a  neighbor,  about  to  emigrate 
to  Ohio,  at  the  owner's  valuation  ;  but  finding  the  animal 
an  uncommonl}-  good  one,  he  sent  ten  dollars  more  to  the 
man  by  letter,  stating  that  the  cow  was  worth  that  sura, 
and  he  feared  that  his  neighbor's  necessities  had  led  him 
to  undervalue  her.  This  would  be  considered  a  rare  kind 
of  honesty  at  the  present  day. 

In  March,  1838,  sixty-four  members  were  received  to 
the  communion  of  the  church,  and  during  the  year  ending 
March,  1839,  one  hundred  and  three  were  added.  The 
church  services  were  attended  for  a  number  of  years  by  the 
fullest  congregations,  occupying  the  aisles  and  pulpit  stairs 
on  all  occasions  of  fair  weather. 


140        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

Dr.  Beecher  to  T.  Brainerd. 

"Lane  Seminauy,  May  12th,  1837. 

"Dearly  beloved  and  longed  for: 

"  The  reply  to  the  Princeton  Review  is  well  under  way, 
and  will  prol)ably  be  with  3"ou  in  the  next  Journal.  I  had 
intended  to  maintain  silence,  but  when  that  Review  came 
out  I  determined  that  longer  silence  would  be  a  sin,  and 
that  the  answer  to  the  Review  should  have  the  light  of  the 
antecedent  facts  shining  upon  it  for  public  edification.  I 
have  made  up  my  mind  to  endure  aggression  and  slander 
no  longer  unans'wered. 

"  Write  soon  and  let  me  know  what  are  the  prospects  of 
the  Assembly,  so  far  as  you  can  judge,  in  the  metropolitan 
city — for  a  long  time  the  center  of  mischief — now  destined 
I  hope  soon  to  be  the  radiating  center  of  light  and  peace 
and  love.  Though  we  feel  sadly  the  want  of  you  here, 
wp  hope  our  loss  will  in  the  end  be  gain  to  the  cause. 

"  1  rejoice  to  hear  of  your  prosperity  and  happiness. 
Love  to  all  the  brethren. 

"  Yours  alfectionately, 

"  Lyman  Beecher." 

The  summer  of  1837  was  marked  by  scenes  of  outrage 
and  violence  in  the  Southern  and  Western  States.  In 
July,  the  Rev.  Elijah  P.  Lovejoy,  Editor  of  the  Alton  Ob- 
server, was  murdered  by  a  mob,  for  maintaining  anti- 
slavery  principles,  and  his  press  and  office  destroyed. 
His  press  had  been  destroyed  once  before,  in  St.  Louis, 
on  account  of  his  rebukes  for  the  burning  to  death  by  the 
mob  of  a  colored  man  named  Mcintosh. 

Mr.  Lovejoy  was  personally  known  to  Mr.  Brainerd  ; 
and  the  circumstances  of  his  death  excited  such  indigna- 
tion and  horror  that  he  could  not  rest  without  relieving 
his  heart  and  conscience,  by  the  following  communication 
to  the  Cincinnati  JoxLrnal: 


CORRESPONDENCE.  141 

"Eev.  E,  P.  Lovejoy. 
"  Mr.  Chester  : 

"  Will  you  allow  me  a  column  of  your  paper  for  a  few 
remarks  upon  the  late  'Alton  Massacre?'  The  deep  in- 
terest which  I  feel  in  the  West,  as  well  as  the  public  rela- 
tion which  I  held  while  conducting  your  paper  for  four 
years,  may  give  me  a  claim  upon  the  attention  of  your 
readers. 

"  The  first  emotion  felt  by  the  public  on  this  side  of  the 
mountains,  on  hearing  of  the  murder  of  Lovejoy,  was  one 
of  deep  and  universal  abhorrence.  That  a  minister  of  the 
gospel,  in  the  discharge  of  what  he  believed  a  solemn 
duty,  should  be  deliberately  shot  down  like  a  beast, 
because 

'  He  knew  his  rights. 
And  knowing  dared  maintain  them,' 

was  a  crime  so  horrid — so  appalling — so  extraordinary,  in 
a  land  of  laws  and  professed  liberty,  that  scarce  an  editor 
could  be  found  corrupt  and  impudent  enough  to  justify  or 
palliate  the  outrage.  I  am  in  the  daily  habit  of  glancing 
over  about  sixty  newspapers  in  the  reading-rooms  of  this 
city.  Among  all  these  periodicals,  I  could  find  but  four  or 
five  which  did  not  speak  out  in  terms  of  manly  indignation. 
Among  the  four  or  five  was  the  American  Manufacturer, 
Pittsburg,  the  Paul  Pry  (Mrs.  Royal's),  Washington,  and 
one  in  Cincinnati.  The  indignation  seemed  to  be  deep, 
generous,  and  universal.  No  event  of  the  last  ten  years 
has  excited  more  attention  or  called  forth  more  deep  exe- 
cration. 

"  It  cannot  be  disguised,  however,  that  now  an  efi'ort  is 
making  to  lessen  the  sympathy  for  Brother  Lovejoy.  It 
is  perceived  that  his  death  has  gone  down  to  the  bottom 
of  society, — that  the  mass  of  the  community  are  beginning 
to  inquire  whether  it  is  longer  expedient  to  outlaw  the 

13 


142       LIFE   OF  REV.  THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

abolitionists,  and  thus  expose  her  citizens  to  murder,  in 
order  to  please  the  holders  of  slaves. 

"  To  stop  this  reaction,  some  editors  now  affect  a  holy 
horror  that  a  minister  of  the  gospel  should  be  found  with 
arms  in  his  hands  defending-  his  rig-hts  at  the  peril  of  his 
life.  They  ask  if  that  was  consistent  with  the  sacreduess 
of  his  profession.    . 

"  To  them  it  was  no  great  matter  that  Brother  Love- 
joy's  office  was  invaded — that  his  press  was  three  times 
destroyed — that  on  the  Sabbath  he  should  be  dragged  by 
ruffians  from  the  arms  of  his  screaming  wife — that  he 
should  be  week  after  week  threatened  with  death  by  assa.s- 
sins — that  at  last,  deprived  of  the  protection  of  law,  he 
should  be  left  at  the  mercy  of  a  mob,  whose  approach  had 
been  invited  by  the  denunciations  of  men  in  high  stations 
— all  this  is  of  little  consequence.  But  that  Mr.  Lovejoy, 
left  in  peril  of  life,  property,  freedom,  and  all  that  is  dear 
to  any  man,  should  prepare  to  defend  himself, — is  a  very 
bad  thing.  They  say  that  Jesus  Christ  did  not  defend 
himself — nor  did  the  Christian  martyrs. 

"Has  it  come  to  this,  that,  in  a  land  professedly  free, 
an  apology  is  to  be  sought  for  a  mob  in  taking  life,  be- 
cause the  victim  was  unwilling  to  die  unresistingly  ?  Be- 
cause, in  pagan  Rome,  Christians  were  covered  with  the 
skins  of  wild  beasts,  to  be  devoured  by  dogs,  when  resist- 
ance would  have  been  unavailing,  that  therefore  every 
minister  of  the  gospel  must  bare  his  throat  to  every  ruffian 
that  thirsts  for  blood  !  If  public  sentiment  will  not  pro- 
tect ministers  in  a  few  expressions  of  conscientious  opin- 
ions— and  if  the  guardianship  of  law  is  withdrawn  from 
them — does  their  sacred  office  forbid  them  to  defend  them- 
selves and  their  families  from  the  assaults  of  assassins  ? 
When  the  Bev.  Dr.  Witherspoon  signed  the  Declaration 
of  Independence,  and  lent  to  it  the  persuasion  of  his  elo- 
quence and  the  power  of  his  great  reputation, — when  the 


CORRESPONDENCE.  143 

pastors  of  New  England,  in  desperate  cases,  led  their 
people  to  the  'tented  field,' and  to  defend  all  that  was  dear 
from  a  ruthless  foe, — they  did  not  imagine  that  they  were 
building  up  a  government  which  should  remove  the  segis 
of  its  protection  from  the  ministers  of  Jesus,  and  then  re- 
buke them  for  using  the  poor  privilege  of  lifting  their  own 
feeble  arms  in  defense  of  life. 

"  It  is  asked  why  did  not  Lovejoy  flee  from  the  storm. 
To  what  place  could  he  have  fled  ?  Had  he  gone  to  Cin- 
cinnati, would  he  (with  the  mob  at  his  heels,  and  the  press 
encouraging  them  on)  have  been  safe  there?  In  what 
place  in  our  land  is  a  good  man,  who  has  opposed  intem- 
perance, licentiousness,  and  slavery,  safe,  if  the  mob  is 
given  to  understand  that  he  is  left  unprotected  at  their 
mercy  ? 

"  But  it  is  said  that  Lovejoy  had  written  severe  arti- 
cles. What  if  he  had  ?  Did  not  the  popish  press  at  St. 
liOuis  heap  upon  him  every  vile  epithet  adapted  to  stir 
up  a  mob?  Did  not  that  press  first  begin  to  stir  up  the 
multitude  by  calling  him  an  incendiary  ?  Has  not  the 
press,  in  every  part  of  the  Union,  loaded  the  abolitionists 
with  most  opprobrious  epithets, — accused  them,  without  a 
shadow  of  truth,  with  desiring  to  excite  insurrection,  with 
being  traitors  to  the  country  ?  May  the  mobites  and  their 
apologists  do  all  this,  and,  if  the  reply  is  severe,  may 
they,  without  crime,  consummate  their  injustice,  hj  killing 
their  victims  ? 

"  You  know  I  did  not  approve  of  the  course  of  Mr. 
Lovejoy — that  I  have  always  stood  aloof  from  the  abo- 
lition societies — but  I  never  had  a  doubt  of  the  perfect  in- 
tegrity of  Mr.  Lovejoy's  purposes.  I  read  his  paper  up 
to  the  time,  and  long  after  the  time,  when  he  took  his 
stand  against  slavery.  His  articles  were,  spirited,  and 
sometimes  caustic,  but  not  more  severe  than  I  always  em- 
ployed in  Cincinnati  against  grogsellers — and  intemper- 


144   LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

ance.     Tliey  had  as  good  an  apolog-y  for  murdering  nie  as 
the  slaveites  had  for  murdering  Lovejoy. 

"  It  is  said  that  Mr.  Lovejoy  braved  public  opinion — 
that  he  knew  a  majority  disapproved  his  sentiments,  but 
still  persevered.  Does  not  the  editor  of  the  Cincinnati 
Bepuhlican  know,  by  the  result  of  elections,  that  a  major- 
ity of  the  Cincinnatians  are  Whigs,  and  yet  no  one  thinks 
of  murdering  him  for  persevering  with  his  very  respect- 
able paper?  He  writes  able  and  severe  articles  against 
the  sentiments  of  the  majority — what  do  they  do  ?  attack 
his  press — drag  him  from  his  house  ?  No  !  they  rely  on 
Hammond  and  Conover  to  answer  him. 

"  Was  the  grave  article  in  the  Constitution  of  the 
United  States,  were  the  articles  in  the  Constitutions  of 
most  of  the  States,  guaranteeing  freedom  of  the  press,  in- 
serted to  tell  persons  they  might  echo  the  opinions  of  the 
majority  ?  Were  not  these  designed  to  guard  the  rights 
of  a  minority  ?  If  the  people  of  Illinois  have  not  given 
their  Legislature  the  right  to  decide  when  and  where  and 
what  a  man  shall  p^Hnt,  has  the  little  town  of  Alton,  with 
its  mob,  any  such  authority,  that  they  may  justly  murder 
a  minister  of  the  gospel  to  prevent  his  publishing  a  neivs- 
paper ? 

"  These  remarks  are  hastily  written,  but  I  could  not 
rest  without  lending  my  influence  to  reprobate  the  vile 
act  which  has  stabbed  the  freedom  of  the  press,  and  con- 
signed to  the  grave  a  minister  whose  talents,  piety,  zeal, 
moral  courage,  and  philanthropy  posterity  will  appreciate. 
"  Your  friend, 

"  Thomas  Brainerd. 

"Philadelphia,  Dec.  12th,  1837." 

The  General  Assembly  met  in  the  Seventh  Presbyterian 
Church,  Ranstead  Court,  Philadelphia,  on  the  ITth  of  May, 
1838. 


DIVISION  OF  THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH.      145 

Br.  Beecher,  Rev.  Edward  Beecher,  and  Rev.  Baxter 

Dickinson  came  on  to  the  Assembly,  and  made  their  home 
with  Mr.  Brainerd. 

The  history  of  that  revolution  and  of  the  division  of.  the 
Presbyterian-  Church  need  not  be  recounted  here.  Their 
acts  of  violence,  of  wrong,  and  injustice,  "Are  they  not 
written  in  the  Book  of  the  Chronicles"  of  the  dismem- 
bered church  ?  No  one  who  witnessed  them  Avill  ever 
forget  the  exciting  scenes  of  that  period.  No  one  who 
enjoyed  the  privilege  of  hearing  the  earnest  discussions 
out  of  Assembly,  at  the  dinner  and  supper  table, — with  the 
"speeches  continued  until  midnight," — will  ever  willingly 
obliterate  from  the  memory  those  eloquent  thoughts  and 
words  for  the  right. 

All  the  odium  of  the  antislavery  excitement  at  that  time, 
with  exaggerated  and  unfounded  reports  of  the  impru- 
dences of  antislavery  men,  were  artfully  drawn  in  and 
made  subservient  to  the  prejudices  industriously  cultivated 
toward  the  New  School  party.  It  seemed  at  one  time  as 
though  the  "  powers  of  darkness"  were  let  loose  ;  for  the 
stormy  debates  of  the  Old  School  Assembly,  in  doors,  were 
alternated  by  the  incendiary  iires  and  shouts  of  the  mub 
without,  who  selected  this  very  time  to  burn  "  Liberty 
Hall,"  in  Sixth  Street,  where  the  Antislavery  Society  were 
holding  a  convention,  and  the  "  African  Hall,"  in  Thir- 
teenth Street — a  modest  building  in  which  the  colored  peo- 
ple were  allowed  to  hold  meetings  for  promoting  their  reli- 
gious and  social  interests.  The  tolling  of  the  State  House 
bell,  as  an  alarm  signal,  vied  with  the  ringing  church  bells 
in  calling  out  their  respective  forces. 

On  the  night  in  which  the  hall  in  Sixth  Street  was  burned 
Mr.  Brainerd  and  his  guests  went  out  as  spectators.  Many 
of  the  fire  companies  wholly  refused  to  work,  and  the  hose 
of  such  as  attempted  to  save  the  burning  buildings  were 
cut  by  the  mob. 

1.3* 


146        LIFE  OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

Suddenly  a  rush  was  made  by  the  mob,  now  swelled  by 
thousands  of  spectators,  and  everybody  was  irresistibly 
borne  on  with  the  moving  mass.  Our  four  clergymen, 
who  had  kept  together  until  now,  were  separated,  and  each 
thrown  upon  his  own  skill  and  forecast  for  safety.  Mr. 
Brainerd  kept  sight  of  Dr  Beecher,  and  by  skillful  crowd- 
ing through  two  or  three  squares,  they  gained  the  edge  of 
the  living  mass,  and  soon  extricated  themselves  and  re- 
turned home.  Mr.  Brainerd  then  became  alarmed  for  the 
safety  of  Prof.  Dickinson  and  Edward  Beecher,  going  fre- 
quently to  the  street  door  to  look  out  for  them.  Wiicn  more 
than  an  hour  had  elapsed  without  their  arrival,  he  said  to 
the  Doctor,  "  Where  can  Dickinson  and  Edward  be  ?" 

"  Runniii'  yet,  I  guess  /"  coolly  replied  Dr.  Beecher,  with 
his  ready  humor  and  fearlessness.  He  made  larger  allow- 
ance for  their  excitement  and  curiosity  than  Mr.  Brainerd 
did.  They  only  remained  to  see  the  end,  and  came  in  all 
right  about  an  hour  later. 

This  incendiary  spirit  continued  until  one  or  two  churches 
belonging  to  the  colored  people  were  burned,  and  various 
other  outrages  committed  on  their  property. 

The  laws  of  Pennsylvania  make  the  State  liable  for  all 
damages  from  mobs.  The  congregations  of  these  churches 
commenced  an  action  against  the  State,  and  recovered 
damages  to  nearly  the  full  amount  of  their  losses. 

Mr.  Barnes,  Mr.  Brainerd,  and  some  others  sat  out  the 
whole  trial,  in  token  of  their  sympathy  with  the  colored 
people,  and  to  give  the  weight  of  their  influence  to  their 
cause. 

After  the  successful  issue  of  the  suit,  one  of  the  colored 
clergymen  said  to  Mr.  Brainerd:  "Our  white  brethren 
were  for  us  what  the  cotton-bags  of  Xew  Orleans  were  for 
General  Jackson, — they  gained  the  day  for  us." 

It  is  interesting  and  suggestive  to  learn  the  sentiments 
of  clergymen  and  leading  men  in  regard  to  the  proceed- 
ings of  the  Assemblies  of  1837-38: 


CORRESPONDENCE.  14t 

To  Rev.  T.  Brainerd. 

"New  Haven,  June  19th,  1837. 
"  Perhaps  you  may  wish  to  know  what  is  the  opinion 
here  in  respect  to  the  proceedings  of  the  late  General  As- 
sembly of  your  church.  There  is  but  one  sentiment  in 
respect  to  the  measures  of  the  Old  School ;  it  is  that  of  the 
deepest  surprise.  If  they  wanted  '  division,'  why  did  they  . 
not  effect  an  honorable  division,  and  not  attempt  to  crush 
their  opponents  by  an  illegal  assumption  of  power? 

"  Dr.  Beman  has  done  himself  much  credit  by  the  very 
able  advocacy  which  the  interests  of  his  party  and  the 
cause  of  truth  found  in  him.  Every  one  here  is  looking 
Avith  intense  interest  at  the  movements  of  the  New  School 
party. 

"  As  your  neck  has  been  under  the  guillotine,  1  should 
like  to  know  how  you  felt  in  that  predicament. 

"D.  S.  B." 
To  T.  Brainerd. 

'•  Rome,  June  24th,  1837. 

*  *  *  *  "I  have  just  returned  from  our 
Presbytery,  where  my  heart  was  made  to  bleed  anew  at 
hearing  the  report  of  our  delegates  from  the  General  As- 
sembly.      ******** 

"  Our  religious  papers  are  now  sought  with  as  much 
avidity,  by  the  enemies  of  religion,  as  a  political  paper  is 
during  the  heat  of  a  Presidential  campaign.  We  bad  a  very 
full  meeting  of  Presbytery,  all  taking  a  deep  interest  in  the 
present  condition  of  the  church.  Our  Presbytery  are  en- 
tirely unanimous  in  their  feeling  of  indignation  at  the  con- 
duct of  the  majority  of  the  General  Assembly,  and  we  are 
entirely  united  as  to  the  proper  course  to  be  taken  at  this 
time.  We  recommended  a  convention  for  the  four  Synods, 
to  meet  at  Rochester  on  the  17th  of  August  next,  and  we 
hope  there  will  be  a  very  full  and  general  attendance ;  and 


148        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

we  trust  the  Lord  will  be  with  us,  and  give  us  wisdom  in 
this  hour  of  deep  trial,  to  prepare  a  way  that  will  make  for 
peace  and  advance  the  glory  of  Christ's  kingdom. 

"  Let  me  know  what  has  been  the  influence  of  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  in  your  city,  and  what  abroad. 

"B.  P.  J." 

"Lane  Seminary,  May  29th,  18.37. 

"  Dear  Brainerd: 

"  I  thank  you  for  your  short  letter,  and  your  filial  de- 
fense of  me  against  M . 

"  In  respect  to  the  doings  of  the  Assembly,  and  the 
course  to  be  pursued  by  us,  you  will  see  my  views  in  a 
former  letter  to  Dickinson,  which,  if  needed,  1  hope  he  will 
make  know'n  to  the  brethren. 

"You  know  all  about  us  here,  and  how  things  affect  us, 
and  I  know  something  about  you  and  the  East.  I  calcu- 
late to  spend  the  year  to  come  in  writing  an  exposition 
and  defense  of  the  West,  and  of  myself;  for  I  will  not  any 
longer  stand  still  and  be  misrepresented  by  those  who  have 
given  me  the  right  hand  of  fellowship :  and  since  they  re- 
fuse to  redeem  the  pledge,  God  and  my  own  right  hand  shall 
be  ni}'  dependence. 

"  Tbe  Lord  preserve  you, — and  the  church  and  nation 
and  world, — and  soon  permit  us  to  see  better  days,  is  the 
prayer  of  your  old  friend — who  is  neither  scared,  nor  dead, 
nor  asleep. 

"  Lyman  Beecher." 

Another  Presbyterian  clergyman  writes,  June  16th, 
1837 :  "  It  would  be  a  sad  spectacle  to  see  the  Old  School 
party  constitute  the  Presbyterian  Church;  a  church  so  ven- 
erable, and  covered  with  so  many  graces  and  honors,  should 
not  be  deserted  by  its  friends  in  such  a  time  as  this." 

Mr.  Brainerd  was  not  a  delegate  to  the  Assembly  of  183T 
— only  a  "lobby  member."     He  found  this  responsibility 


BTVISrON  OF  THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH.      149 

much  harder  to  bear  than  though  he  had  been  "  permitted 
to  speak  for  himself  J^  It  was  amazing-  to  those  acquainted 
with  his  nervous  temperament,  to  witness  his  external  cool- 
ness and  restraint.  His  excitability  found  a  safety-valve, 
and  worked  off  the  extra  steam,  by  giving  expression  to  his 
feelings — sometimes  in  "  parables,"  and  sometimes  in  verse. 
Mr.  Brainerd  said  of  himself:  "  He  was  a  poet  made,  not 
born"  (and  not  much  of  one  at  that) ;  but  he  would 
write  in  rhyme,  on  any  subject  and  for  any  length  of  time, 
as  readily  as  in  prose. 

It  was  reported  that  a  member  of  the  Old  School  As- 
sembly, standing  in  the  lobby,  swung  his  hat  and  gave 
three  cheers  when  the  Moderator  of  the  General  Assembly 
announced  that  three  Synods  were  cut  off  from  the  church 
b}^  a  drilled  party  majority.  This  incident  was  signalized 
by  the  following  paraphrase : 

THE  THREE  CHEERS. 

What  tidings  borne  upon  the  breeze 

Excite  this  boisterous  joy  ; 
What  visions  bright  with  power  to  please 

This  Pastor's  thoughts  employ  ? 

Is't  told  to  him  that  yet  one  more 

Of  Adam's  ruined  race 
Hath  heard  the  word,  "  Go,  sin  no  more ; 

You  are  pardoned  by  rich  grace  ?" 

Or  does  he  hear  that  far  away, 

In  distant  pagan  lands. 
Full  beaming  in  the  light  of  day 

The  Cross,  just  lifted,  stands? 

Or  has  he  heard  that  weary  Saints 

Have  reached  the  happy  shore 
Where  Jesus  soothes  their  hearts'  complaints 

And  bids  them  "  weep  no  more  ?" 

'Tis  naught  like  these;  to  his  charmed  ear 

The  word  has  now  been  given, 
That,  answering  to  his  earnest  prayer. 

The  Church  of  Christ  is  riven. 


150        LIFE  OF  REV.  THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

Let  7i im  rejoice  !  a  thousand  tongues 

Will  rend  the  air  with  cries; 
Their  father's  church,  oppressed  with  wrongs, 

In  broken  frat/ments  lies. 

At  another  time,  one  of  the  Southern  members,  while 
retailing  "  common  fame''^  against  the  New  York  Synods, 
was  asked  by  a  clergyman  from  that  section,  if  it  was  pos- 
sible that  he  believed  such  charges,  and  questioned  for  his 
authority.  The  reply  was :  ''It  is  none  of  your  busi- 
ness !^^     Such  "  Cliivalrif  could  not  remain  unsung. 

CHIVALRY. 

With  warrior  heart,  with  zeal  and  flame, 
I  blow  the  trump  of  "  Common  fame  ;" 
'Tis  mine  to  heed  her  words,  and  hurl 
Her  gossip  round  the  Christian  world. 

Delay  me  not;  I'm  charged  this  day 

To  tattle  what  this  dame  may  say ; 

The  "  Conclave  "  speaks ;  I  see  their  nod; 

"  Drive  out  those  ministers  of  God  !" 

What  do  I  hear?     Does  some  one  dare 
My  stories  with  the  truth  compare  ? 
Down,  heretic!  thy  hated  form 
Will  stay  the  progress  of  reform. 

You  have  "no  business"  here  to  donbt 
The  stories  which  my  dame  brings  out; 
Should  truth  appear,  'tis  clear  as  glass 
The  "Resolutions''  would  not  pass. 

On,  comrades,  on  !  this  is  the  hour 
To  gain  for  us  the  future  power. 
This  moment  lose;  where  are  ye  then? 
Ye'll  never  hold  this  power  a[/ain  ! 

We  give  but  one  more. 

Before  the  adjournment  of  the  Old  School  Assembly  it 
was  moved  to  return  thanks  to  God  for  the  "  purification 
of  the  church." 


DIVISION  OF  THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH.      151 

TE  DEUM  LAUDAMUS. 

The  Popish  priests,  with  thankful  tongue, 
Sent  up  to  God  their  joyful  song, 
That  Louis'  zeal,  so  stern  and  true, 
Had  sent  them  "St.  Bartholomew." 

To  these  good  men  'twas  blithesome  sport, 
AVith  license  just  received  from  court, 
To  scour  the  land,  arrest  and  vex, 
Then  murder  all  the  heretics. 

To  share  their  fame  we  stand  a  chance; 
Our  Leader,*  late- returned  from  France  ; — • 
In  battles  old,  in  years  a  youth, 
Shows  equal  zeal  for  gospel  truth. 

To  rend  the  church  we  hither  came  ; 
To  prove  our  facts,  stood  "pommon  fame;" 
We've  purged  the  church  from  its  foul  blots. 
As  Louis  did  from  Huguenots. 

Full  fifty  men,  from  off  this  floor, 
We've  banished  to  return  no  more; 
Five  hundred  brethren  with  them  fall; 
We  now  shall  stand  here — all  in  all! 

We  tried  them  not;  the  Yankee  elves 
Too  well  could  answer  for  themselves; 
We  sealed  their  lips,  ere  they  could  show 
'Twas  outrage  base,  to  treat  them  so. 

Away,  away  !  none  dare  again 
To  say  that  we  have  lived  in  vain  ; 
When  autumn  comes  Princeton  will  see 
That  some  of  us  shall  have  D.D. ! ! ! 

For  all  the  tricks  to  swell  our  power. 
For  all  the  triumphs  of  this  hour; 
Before  we  leave  this  blessed  sod, 
Our  thanks  we  offer  v}}  to  God. 

During   the   spring-  of  183*7,  Mr.  Brainerd   wrote  two 
Parables,  which  were  published  in  the  Philadelphia  Ob- 

*  R.  J.  B. 


152       LIFE  OF  REV.  THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

server, — the  first  eutitled  "Uncle  Peter's  Farm,"  and 
the  second,  "  General  Peter's  War."  As  many  inqui- 
ries were  made  concerning  their  authorship,  it  is  not  im- 
proper, as  a  record  of  the  times  and  the  man,  to  notice 
them  here,  though  somewhat  obsolete,  as  parables  them- 
selves are  in  these  latter  days. 

On  publishing  the  first  piece,  the  Editor  says  : 

"  Farmer  Jotham  has  employed  the  interval  between 
plowing  his  ground  and  sowing  his  oats  in  writing  a 
parable.  He  is  a  shrewd  old  man,  and  manifests  that  he 
has  not  been  living  without  taking  notice  of  things  as  they 
have  occurred.  Our  young  people  would  be  highly  amused 
if  they  could  see  the  manuscript  as  sent  to  us.  It  looks 
as  if  one  of  the  turkeys  on  his  farm  had  dipped  its  feet  in  ink 
and  then  walked  backward  and  forward  on  the  paper.*  But 
this  is  of  no  importance.  While  we  perceive  that  so  many 
ministers  and  law^yers  are  miserable  scribes,  we  do  not 
wonder  that  a  plain  farmer  should  be  unable  to  write  with 
the  dashing  beauty  of  young  men  in  the  counting-house. 

"Some  affirm  positively  that  the  honest  farmer  has 
allusion  to  church  affairs  ;  is  exhibiting  a  picture  of  the 
causes  of  the  dissensions  prevailing  in  the  Presbyterian 
Church ;  and  treads  on  the  toes  of  some  who  have  exer- 
cised a  prominency  in  producing  the  present  unhappy  state 
of  things. 

"As  corn  planting  is  yet  a  month  ahead,  we  hope  Farmer 
Jotham  will  not  allow  his  pen  to  be  idle." 

As  the  "  Parables  "  contained  many  allusions  to  persons 
and  incidents  unfamiliar  to  the  present  generation,  which 
the  older  class  of  clergymen  only  would  recognize,  we 
make  a  few  extracts  of  the  most  obvious  and  general  feat- 
ures.     The  first  Parable,   "  Uncle  Peter's  Farm,"  illus- 

*  Those  who  have  seen  Mr.  BrainerJ's  manuscript,  when  writing  under 
nervous  excitement,  will  appreciate  this  description. 


''UNCLE  PETER'S  FARM."  I53 

tratecl  more  especially  the  case  of  Rev.  Albert  Barnes ; 
and  the  second,  "  Gen.  Peter's  War,"  that  of  Dr.  Lyman 
Beecher : 

"  In  the  year  1792,  a  healthful  old  farmer,  named  Peter, 
finding  that  he  had  'squatted  '  on  more  land  than  he  could 
cultivate,  entered  into  a  negotiation  with  another  farmer 
who  lived  east,  named  Jonathan.  Peter  proposed  that 
Jonathan,  who  had  more  sons  than  were  required  at  home, 
should  send  his  3^ounger  boys  over  to  aid  Uncle  Peter  in 
subduing  the  wilderness.  He  was  the 'rather  inclined  to 
this  negotiation,  from  the  fact  that  Jonathan's  sons  had  a 
roving  tendency,  and,  as  their  Uncle  Peter  had  no  fee-sim- 
ple, nor  life  lease,  nor  any  other  legal  title  to  the  tract  on 
which  he  had  '  squatted,' they  would  certainly  come  and 
settle  whether  invited  or  not. 

"  Peter  knewthat  the  mode  in  which  Jonathan  had  trained 
up  his  sons  had  been  somewhat  different  from  his  own 
plan  ;  but,  as  they  were  good  farmers,  as  their  fathers  be- 
fore them  had  been  for  a  century  and  a  half,  he  thought 
their  little  peculiarities  were  no  obstacles  to  the  agree- 
ment. At  that  time  the  old  gentleman's  hobby  was  to 
subdue  the  wilderness;  and  whether  Jonathan's  sons  cut 
down  timber  with  four-cornered  axes  or  three,  he  did  not 
care  a  straw,  provided  they  did  good  execution. 

"  The  bargain  being  completed,  on  the  very  terms  pro- 
posed by  Peter,  Jonathan's  sons  flocked  over  in  consider- 
able numbers.  Peter's  sons  received  them  joyfully  in  the 
main,  though  a  few  were  a  little  sour  when  they  saw  that 
the  tools  employed  by  the  new-comers  were  not  all  in  a 
triangular  form. 

"Under  the  labors  of  the  two  families  united,  the  'wil- 
derness '  began  to  'blossom  like  the  rose.'  Each  year  they 
held  a  great  meeting,  and  Peter's  heart  was  made  glad  b}^ 
the  reports  of  successful  industry,  which  came  in  from 
every  quarter. 

]4 


154        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAIXERD,  D.D. 

"A  few  of  l^ncle  Peter's  sons  were  great  friends  to  'tri- 
angular' implements  of  husbandry.  They  wrote  much 
and  oftea  upon  the  superior  excellences  of  this  form  of 
axes,  spades,  and  hoes.  They  persuaded  Peter  to  set  up  a 
school  for  young  farmers,  and  took  especial  care  that  all 
the  teachers  should  have  views  like  their  own.  They  were 
also  accustomed  to  harp  a  great  deal  upon  the  excellence 
of  Uncle  Peter's  ftnu-i'a;  and  some  thought,  if  they  had 
the  sole  management  of  affairs,  they  would  give  up  culti- 
vation of  the  soiH  and  turn  all  hands  out  to  make  fences, 
whether  any  crops  were  secured  therel)y  or  not. 

"  But  for  forty  years  all  things  went  on  pretty  harmo- 
niously.    Uncle  Peter  grew  exceeding  wealthy  in  flocks 
and  herds;  and,  as  he  had  all  the  benefits  of  the  labors  of 
Jonathan's  sons,  he  treated  them  just  like  his  own  chil- 
dren.    Being  a  liberal  old  man,  he  consented  to  an  arrange- 
ment by  which  another  set  of  nephews  should  be  adopted 
as   his  sons.     These  nephews  had   quarreled   with  their 
father,  John   Knox,  on  the   other  side  of  the  great  lake, 
and   'seceded^  from    him,   and   set   up  for  themselves  in 
Uncle   Peter's   neighborhood.     They   had   a   great  many 
good  qualities,  for  farmers,  but  had  a  relish  for  building 
strong  fences  more  than  for  clearing  the  land.     They  were 
also  quite  irritable,  and  accustomed  to  break  up  into  clans, 
of  which  their  father's  family  had  furnished  about  half  a 
dozen.     They  were  never  in  their  element  so  much  as 
when  engaged  in  '  plucking  up  tares  '     Over  a  single  this- 
tle they  would  hold  a  solemn  council,  and  spend  a  whole 
summer  in  watching  to  get  at  the  root,  and  sometimes  tram- 
ple down  a  whole  field  of  wheat  and  corn  in  the  process. 
They  even  seemed  to  rejoice  in  a  drought,  as  it  kept  down 
the  weeds. 

********* 
"One  of  the  best  farms  in  the  country  wanting  an  over- 
seer, application  was  made  to  a  young  man  named  Albert, 


''UNCLE  PETER'S  FAR  My  155 

to  eoiiie  and  cultivate  it.  Albert  was  not  a  son  of  Jona- 
than, but  he  was  no  friend  to  triangular  lots,  with  hug-e 
fences  and  no  fertility.  The  sons  of  John  Knox  represented 
the  impropriety  of  allowing  Albert  to  occupy  such  a  central 
farm.  lie  would  lay  it  out  in  square  lots  and  set  a  bad 
example.  A  council  was  held  in  the  family,  and  it  was 
agreed  that  unless  Albert  would  consent  to  have  triangu- 
lar lots,  he  should  not  be  allowed  to  come  into  the  neigh- 
borhood. A  son  of  John  Knox  found  a  four  cornered 
spade  used  by  Albert  in  preparing  a  '  highway,'  and  he 
determined  to  make  use  of  it  to  keep  him  out  of  the  neigh- 
borhood. So  he  brought  it  before  a  stated  meeting  of  the 
farmers. 

"  These  farmers  did  not  all  like  the  shape  of  the  spade, 
but  they  knew  that  Albert's  venerable  predecessor  had 
used  such  a  spade  with  great  effect.  Indeed,  the  old  man 
himself,  now  past  working,  came  forward  and  testified, 
that  the  spade  was,  in  all  respects,  adapted  '  for  breaking 
up  the  fallow  ground '  and  preparing  a  '  highway.' 

"  Albert  was  allowed  to  come  ;  but  it  grieved  these  men 
much,  and  they  determined  to  bring  the  matter  before  a 
larger  meeting  of  the  farmers.  It  was  then  decided  that  Al 
bert  should  be  questioned  about  the  '  spade.'  Great  pains 
were  taken  to  show  that  it  was  the  worst  spade  that  was 
over  constructed. 

"  Albert,  finding  that  he  could  not  have  justice  done,  de- 
termined to  appeal  to  Uncle  Peter.  When  Uncle  Peter 
took  his  seat  in  council,  how  great  was  the  grief  and  aston- 
ishment of  the  sons  of  John  Knox,  generally,  to  find  that 
the  good  old  gentleman  was  not  at  all  disposed  to  molest 
Albert. 

"  His  opponents  professed  submission  to  Uncle  Peter,  but 
one  of  their  friends,  who  was  a  great  Warrior,  having 
spent  more  time  in  the  camp  than  on  the  farm,  denounced 
Uncle  Peter's  decision  to  his  face. 


156       LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

"  Uncle  Peter  was  firm  and  decided,  and  there  the  matter 
ought  to  hav^e  rested.  But  though  these  men  had  always 
professed  a  great  respect  for  Uncle  Peter,  they  now  began 
to  cry  out  that  he  was  crazy;  that  everything  was  going 
to  rack  and  ruin.  But  they  'scorned  to  lay  hands  on  Al- 
bert alone.'  They  said  they  would  never  rest  until  Uncle 
Peter  should  drive  not  only  Albert,  but  all  his  friends,  and 
especially  all  the  sons  of  Jonathan,  out  of  the  territory. 

"  For  four  years,  successively,  they  came  before  Uncle 
Peter  with  their  complaints,  and  each  time  the  old  gentle- 
man shook  his  head  at  them,  and  more  than  intimated  that, 
as  long  as  nobody  interfered  with  their  mode  of  farming, 
they  should  attend  more  to  their  own  farms  and  less  to 
their  neighbors. 

"But  the  fifth  year  they  determined  to  frighten  Uncle 
Peter.  So  they  called  a  great  meeting  of  their  friends,  to 
meet  in  advance  of  the  regular  council,  and  here  they  con- 
certed their  schemes  and  entered  into  Uncle  Peter's  pres- 
ence with  all  their  force,  threatening  to  rebel  if  he  did  not 
grant  their  request. 

"Uncle  Peter  listened  to  these  men  with  attention,  and 
finally  decided  that  no  man  could  honestly  labor  on  Uncle 
Peter's  farm  without  using  '  triangular  '  tools.  A  decision 
was  obtained  that  Albert  should  be  made  an  outlaw  and 
be  driven  from  his  farm. 

"  Great  was  the  grief  of  Uncle  Peter  at  this  intelligence. 
He  knew  that  Albert  was  a  first-rate  farmer ;  that  he  was 
industrious  in  seed-time  and  harvest — rising  early  and 
sitting  up  late — and  as  a  result  of  his  labors,  his  farm  was 
as  fruitful  as  any  in  the  neighborhood. 

"  When  Uncle  Peter  took  his  seat  in  council,  to  hear  Al- 
bert's appeal,  he  acquitted  him  of  all  blame,  and  restored 
him  to  his  farm. 

"JOTHAM." 


"GEXERAL    PETER'S    WAR."  157 

A  fen-  weeks  later  the  second  Parable  was  published, 
called  -'General  Peter's  War."  After  a  short  introduc- 
tion, representing  the  great  army  moving  in  battalions, 
under  different  leaders,  the  writer  said ;  •'  Xo  officer  had  done 
more  to  excite  the  hopes  of  his  sovereign  than  General 
Peter.*  He  was  ardent  in  patriotism,  unflinching  in 
courage,  wise  in  council,  and  untiring  in  perseverance.  To 
him.  in  connection  with  four  or  five  other  officers,  was 
committed  the  subjugation  of  a  large  western  province,  of 
immense  territory. 

"  General  Peter  laid  down  the  plan  of  his  campaign  with 
great  skill.  He  was  careful  that  his  officers  should  be  well 
instructed  in  the  laws  of  the  kiugdom,  the  terms  on  which 
pardon  would  be  granted,  and  the  best  mode  of  bringing 
rebels  to  submission. 

"He  established  garrisons  iu  all  parts  of  the  countrv,  to 
keep  the  rebels  in  check,  and  to  afford  sympathv  and  pro- 
tection to  all  who  would  return  to  their  allegiance. 

"  He  had  enlisted  a  standing  army  of  more  than  200,000 
men,  organized  iu  2500  stations,  and  commanded  by  more 
than  2000  skillful  officers  f  He  saw,  under  his  influence, 
many  academies  for  training  cadets.  In  conjunction  with 
General  Jonathan,  he  established  a  great  many  military 
stations  in  far  distant  provinces.  His  officers  were  so 
true,  and  conducted  the  war  with  such  skill  and  braverv, 
that  they  were  more  feared  by  the  rebels  than  the  officers 
of  any  other  division. 

'•It  was  just  at  this  period,  when  the  fortifications  of 
General  Peter  had  become  invulnerable  to  everv  foreign 
foe,  when  he  was  prepared  to  send  out  large  reinforce- 
ments, and  make  a  glorious  onset  upon  his  enemies  ;  it 
was  just  at  this  period  that  disaension  broke  out  in  the 
camp. 

^  The  Presbyterian  Church.  t  These  are  the  statistics  of  1S37. 


158   LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

"  General  Peter's  officers  had  been  so  engaged  in  con- 
tending with  the  common  enemy  that  they  had  no  leisure 
for  personal  jealousies.  While  they  were  few  in  number 
they  stood  shoulder  to  shoulder,  and  acquitted  themselves 
like  men. 

"  When  a  consideraljle  portion  of  the  country  had  been 
subdued,  the  officers  of  a  certain  city  began  to  manifest 
distrust  of  their  brother  officers,  and  to  circulate  by  mys- 
terious whispers,  that  there  was  treason  plotting  against 
General  Peter. 

"  They  did  not  pretend  that  the  offending  officers  were 
disloyal  to  their  sovereign  ;  they  were  compelled  to  admit 
that  the  objects  of  their  suspicion  were  warmly  engaged 
against  the  enemy ;  at  every  point  of  hardship  and  of  danger 
the  '  suspected '  officers  had  been  tried  and  found  faithful, 
and  the  sovereign  had  accepted  their  services,  and  granted 
them  many  tokens  of  his  favor. 

"  Perhaps  this  very  success,  the  number  and  splendor  of 
their  conquests,  excited  the  envy  of  the  more  indolent  and 
timid.  However  this  may  be,  the  officers  of  a  certain  city 
sounded  the  alarm  and  filled  the  country  with  the  cry  of 
'  Treason  !  treason  !'  They  ceased  to  fight  the  common 
enemy,  and  leveled  their  muskets  at  the  true  friends  of  their 
king.  *  *  *  *  After  shooting  at  him  for  along 
time  from  ))ehind  the  trees,  they  finally  seized  an  old  vet- 
eran officer,  named  Lyman,  and  brought  him  before  a 
court-martial.  His  locks  were  whitened  with  age  ;  he  had 
swung  the  battle-axe  upon  the  walls  with  giant  power  for 
seven-and-thirty  years.  In  the  East  he  had  made  those 
quail  who  undertook  to  rob  Prince  Immanuel  of  his  crown 
and  his  throne. 

"At  threescore  years  of  age,  hearing  that  help  was 
needed  on  the  frontier,  he  struck  his  tent,  shouldered  his 
knapsack,  marched  a  thousand  miles  to  the  West,  and  took 
his  position  where  he  could  counsel  and  cheer  the  young 


^'GENERAL   PETER'S    WAR."  159 

officers  as  they  went  forth  to  the  battle-field.  As  he 
had  never  used  his  sword  but  against  the  common  foe; 
as  he  never  had  'even  fought  a  duel'  with  a  friend  of  his 
king ;  as  he  was  old  and  covered  with  hard-earned  laurels, 
it  was  hoped  he  might  be  unmolested. 

"  But  no ;  an  effort  was  made  to  prove  him  a  traitor. 
The  court-martial  cleared  him.  His  enemies  appealed  to 
General  Peter  ;  Ijut  the  general  showed  such  evident  tokens 
of  friendship  for  the  old  veteran  that  his  adversaries  were 
afraid  and  ashamed  to  confront  him  in  the  general's  presence. 
They  thought  it  better  to  open  upon  him  a  fire  from  behind 
the  breastwork  of  one  of  the  military  academies.  This, 
with  the  aid  of  some  sharp-shooters  in  ambuscade,  they 
thought  would  maim  the  old  soldier,  and  render  him  less 
formidable  as  a  leader. 

"  The  catalogue  of  crimes  of  which  Major  Lyman  and 
his  friends  are  accused  is  a  curiosity: 

"1.  He  has  been  heard  to  say  that  when  General  Peter's 
orders  differ  from  the  orders  of  the  sovereign,  the  latter 
must  be  obeyed. 

"  2.  That  while  no  one  could  force  allies  upon  General 
Peter  without  his  consent,  yet  anybody  had  a  right  to 
send  in  supplies  for  his  officers,  if  they  saw  fit  to  receive 
them. 

"  3.  That  the  strength  of  the  army  would  be  augmented 
by  concert  among  all  the  officers,  and  that  the  generals 
would  do  well  to  unite  in  the  prosecution  of  the  war. 

"  4.  That  the  standard  borne  by  the  army  should  bear 
on  its  folds  the  name  of  Prince  Immanuel,  and  not  that  of 
General  Peter. 

"  5.  As  General  Peter  could  not  be  present  in  all  parts 
of  the  country,  to  direct  the  mode  of  attack  and  defense, 
he  had  given  discretionary  power  to  his  officers  to  unite 
in  '  voluntary  associations '  to  make  inroads  upon  tlie 
enemy. 


160    LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

"6.  Major  Lyman  and  his  friends  had  liocn  heard 
to  sa}'^  that  the  sovereign  could  save  all  to  whom  he 
offered  pardon,  if  they  would  submit ;  that  when  he  said 
he  was  'not  willing  any  should  perish,'  he  meant  just 
what  he  said. 

"  7.  That  if  a  soldier  incoluntarili/  discharged  his  gun, 
he  would  not  be  executed  for  it,  unless  willful  carelessness 
could  be  proved. 

"  8.  That  though  a  child  might  often  suffer  necessarily 
the  consequences  of  his  father's  rebellion,  yet  no  child  was 
to  have  its  brains  dashed  out  deliberately  and  specifically 
as  a  punishment  for  having  had  a  rebellious  father. 

"  9.  That  the  king  never  chopped  off  the  legs  of  a  child 
as  a  penalty  for  his  father's  sins,  and  then  caused  hint  to 
he  whipped  because  he  could  not  march  with  the  army. 

"  10.  That  no  rebel  would  be  subjected  to  extraordi- 
nary punishment  for  not  accepting  a  pardon  when  no 
provision  had  been  made  for  his  forgiveness  by  the  king. 

"  11.  That  Lyman  and  his  associates  had  Ijeen  known 
to  hold  a  conflict  with  the  eneni}^  in  the  open  field  on  the 
frontiers,  instead  of  bringing  them  into  the  forts  to  be  sub- 
dued. 

"  12.  That  L^^man  and  his  friends  had  the  folly  to  chal- 
lenge the  enemy  to  immediate  submission,  instead  of 
asking  him  to  '  delay  and  use  the  means'  to  lay  down  the 
weapons  of  his  rebellion. 

"  13.  That  Lyman  and  his  friends  sometimes  held  a 
'  protracted'  battle  with  the  rebels,  and  vanquished  them 
outright,  instead  of  giving  them  a  breathing  time  of  six 
cla\"S  out  of  seven. 

"14.  That  Lyman  and  his  friends  sometimes  brought  a 
hundred  rebels  to  submission  in  a  week,  instead  of  sub- 
duing them  singly,  at  periods  '  few  and  far  between.' 

"15.  But  the  greatest  crime  of  Lyman  and  his  friends 
was  this;  when  General  Peter  came  to  them  for  counsel 


DIVISION  OF  THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH.      161 

i\\Qj  gave  it  according  to  their  ability.  It  was  said  that 
General  Peter  had  no  right  to  take  counsel  of  any  of  his 
ofBeers  except  the  professors  in  the  military  academy. 

"  For  this,  and  like  offenses,  Lyman  and  his  friends  are 
declared  'outlaws'  and  'rebels.' 

"  His  opponents  will  have  no  '  compromise.'  They  have 
called  a  mutinous  council  to  devise  the  best  mode  to  maim 
and  cripple  a  larg-e  number  of  the  sovereign's  subjects, — a 
council  to  divide  and  weaken  the  power  of  the  army." 

In  an  article  written  fifteen  years  later  [1852],  Mr. 
Brainerd  says:  "Having  revolutionized  a  church  under 
the  forms  of  ecclesiastical  law,  then  seized  its  charter  and 
its  funds  by  the  force  of  a  mere  majority,  they  cannot 
satisfy  their  own  consciences,  or  the  sense  of  justice  in  the 
world  at  large,  but  by  striving  to  believe,  and  constantly 
repeating  the  charges  in  which  their  acts  of  violence  first 
found  apology.       ******* 

"  Like  our  brethren  in  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland, 
we  have  met  and  safely  passed  a  most  fearful  and  trying 
crisis  in  our  church.  Like  that  noble  body  of  men,  we 
were  forced  by  principle  to  give  up  rights  in  the  church 
which  we  loved.  Like  them,  we  relinquished  to  other 
bands  the  seminaries  we  had  aided  to  endow.  Not  alone 
our  Presbyterian  fidelity,  but  our  honesty  as  men,  our 
soundness  as  theologians  was  denounced  by  church  au- 
thority, echoed  by  the  approbation  of  church  institutions 
fed  by  our  charity,  and  periodicals  conducted  by  professors 
elevated  by  our  votes.  ***** 

"But  it  is  with  us  a  proud  consideration  that  almost  a 
moiety  of  the  Presbyterian  ministry — some  thirteen  or 
fourteen  hundred — in  that  storm  of  obloquy  and  whole- 
sale excisions,  stood  firm  by  their  principles  Among 
these  men  we  delight  to  record  such  names  as  those  of 
Richards,  Hillyer,  Fisher,  DuflQeld,  Beecher,  Mason,  Cle- 


162        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS   BRATNERD,  D.D. 

land,  Blackbuni,  Catheart,  Nelson,  Hill,  and  Anderson. 
Some  of  these  are  historic  names,  and  the}^  are  all  worthy 
to  be  placed  b\'  the  side  of  the  Chalmerses,  the  Cunnini^- 
hams,  the  Welshes,  and  the  Candlishes  of  the  exiled  Church 
of  Scotland. 

"It  was  predicted  that  without  the  cohesive  attraction 
of  their  more  orthodox  brethren  their  union  would  be  a 
rope  of  sand.  Each  successive  General  Assendjly  was 
pronounced  the  last  that  could  be  held.  But  these  modern 
prophets  consulted  their  hopes  rather  than  the  signs  of  the 
times.  It  was  not  likeh"  that  men  who  had  suffered  so 
mucli  for  principle  would  hold  lightly  by  either  truth  or 
the  order  of  the  church  ;  and  hence,  after  a  quarter 
century,  in  the  body  with  which  we  are  connected,  no 
man  has  moved  to  alter  a  tittle  of  the  Confession  of  Faith 
or  an  essential  principle  of  Presb\'terian  Church  govern- 
ment. 

"  There  is  not  a  minister  of  our  body  who  does  not  love 
and  cheri.sh  the  Westminster  Confession  of  Faith  as  the 
be.st  human  delineation  of  Biblical  theolog}"" ;  while  all  are 
prepared  to  bow,  implicith'  and  finally  and  fearlessly,  be- 
fore the  only  infallible  standard — the  Word  of  God.  '  Our 
church  standards  as  symbols  for  union,  but  the  Bible  for 
authoi'ity ,''  is  the  motto  of  our  denomination. 

"  As  we  love  the  Westminster  Confession  of  Faith  and 
the  Catechisms,  we  stand  ready  to  vindicate  them  from 
Arminian,  Socinian,  and  infidel  assaults,  on  the  one  side, 
as  well  as  Antinomian  glosses  on  the  other." 

While  s\'mpathy  and  fellowship  with  the  orthodox 
churches  of  New  England  were  represented  as  among  the 
heinous  offenses  of  the  New  School,  several  cases  occurred 
during  Mr.  Brainerd's  ministry  in  Philadelphia,  of  Congre- 
gational clergymen  being  settled  over  Old  School  Presby- 
terian Churches, — all  unshriven  of  their  "  Congregational" 
sins. 


DIVISION  OF  THE  rRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH.      163 

It  was  observable,  too,  that  the  "separated  brethren" 
eagerly  availed  themselves  of  every  opportunity  to  secure 
the  charg-e  of  prosperous  churches  in  the  other  division, 
without  any  conscientious  scruples  about  joining  a  New 
School  Presbj^tery,  or  misgivings  in  regard  to  the  theo- 
logical soundness  of  the  body  \vho?e  alliance  they  sought. 

It  seems  incredible  even  now,  after  only  thirty  years, 
that  good  men  in  the  nineteenth  century  could  be  excited 
to  such  opposition  and  arrayed  against  each  other  with  such 
bitterness  on  such  untenable  grounds :  not  on  points  con- 
cerning the  great  vital  doctrines  of  Christianity,  in  which 
they  were  fully  agreed,  but  abstruse  speculations  on  the 
extent  of  man's  natural  ability  to  obey  the  commands  of 
God;  the  imputation  of  Adam's  sin  ;  how  far  the  atone- 
ment is  available  for  those  who  will  not  accept  of  it — 
subjects  on  Avhich  no  two  men,  probably,  ever  thought 
alike,  nor  any  one  man  ever  held  the  same  views  for  two 
years  in  succession.  Yet  some  men  expended  all  their 
strength  in  endeavors  to  crowd  the  best  workmen  from 
the  field,  and  silence  the  lips  of  the  most  persuasive  Chris- 
tian teachers ;  holding  back  the  Whitfields  and  the  Beechers, 
because  in  every  variety  of  thought,  or  minutia  of  plan, 
they  "followed  not  us." 

That  "the  angels  desire  to  look  into  these  things,"  and 
have  been  ocmipied  for  more  than  six  thousand  years  in 
the  investigation  without  fathoming  their  exhaustless  mys- 
teries, implies  something  a  little  too  deep  for  any  self-con- 
stituted pope  or  autocrat  to  define  with  bars  and  limits. 
Milton's  fallen  spirits 

"  Reasoned  high 
Of  providence,  foreknowledge,  will,  and  fate  ; 
Fixed  fnte,  f,  ee  will/''  foreknowledge  absolute  ; 
And  found  no  end,  in  wandering  mazes  lost." 

*  " Decrees'  and  " ability." 


164        I^rFE   OF  REV.   TirOM  iS  BRAIXERD,   D.D. 

And  one  hundred  years  hence  the  division  of  the  Pres- 
bj'^terian  Church  will  be  classed  with  the  intolerance  which 
imprisoned  Galileo  for  daring  to  imagine  that  the  world 
was  round  and  moved,  and  b}'  rewarding  Columbus  with 
irons  for  opening  the  unlimited  wealth  of  the  Xew  World 
to  Catholic  Europe. 

The  two  parties  are  like  the  banks  which  line  and  hold 
in  the  same  river;  running  parallel  all  the  wa}"" ;  sustain- 
ing the  same  relation  to  the  life-giving  waters  which  flow 
pure  and  healthful  between  them,  and  yet  remaining  on 
opposite  sides. 

Mr.  Brainerd  believed  that  Calvinism  was  logical, 
expansive,  progressive  ;  and  not  the  illiberal,  narrow, 
bigoted  system  represented  b}'  its  enemies.  He  held  that 
Calvin  emancipated  the  Christian  world  from  the  popish 
despotism  which  forbids  a  man  to  use  his  own  reason  and 
common  sense — encouraging  the  very  spirit  of  liberty  to 
discuss  all  points  of  doubtful  theology  ;  confirming  to  every 
one  the  privilege  o{  digging  deep  for  the  "  wells"  of  truth, 
from  which  "to  draw  the  waters  of  salvation." 

With  these  views  he  always  insisted  that  we  were  truer 
Presbyterians — better  Calvinists — than  the  Old  School, 
according  to  "  The  Book."  His  early  residence  and  ac- 
quaintance with  the  clergymen  of  Western  and  Northern 
New  York;  his  subsequent  life  in  Cincinnati,  during  the 
fiercest  period  of  the  conflict  ;  his  large  acquaintance  with 
the  churches  throughout  Kentucky  and  the  Western  States, 
together  with  the  local  information  gained  through  the 
press,  by  newspaper  exchanges,  as  editor,  furnished  Mr. 
Brainerd  with  a  more  accurate  statistical  knowledge  of  the 
condition  of  the  church  at  large  than  was  possessed,  prob- 
ably, b}'  any  other  man  of  the  same  age.  With  a  compre- 
hensive observation,  quickened,  perhaps,  by  a  sense  of  in- 
justice, he  kept  a  clo.>^e  watch  of  the  churches.  East  and 
West,  North  and  South,  in  both  divisions.    He  had  a  large 


DIVISION  OF  THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CnURCH.      1G5 

number  of  personal  friends  in  the  Old  School  branch,  many 
of  whom  continued  to  be  life-friends — such  as  President 
John  C.  Young-,  of  Kentucky.  President  Young  visited 
him  in  Philadelphia,  when  a  delegate  to  the  Old  School 
Assembly  there;  and  together  they  discussed  the  wrongs 
and  mistakes  of  the  past  in  a  fraternal  spirit. 

Every  instance  of  irregularity  or  disorder  which  came 
to  his  knowledge  (and  they  were  not  a  few)  was  found  in 
Old  School  churches  ;  while  the  New  School  pastors,  made 
more  circumspect  by  the  unfounded  charges  brought 
against  them,  were  careful  to  "  avoid  even  the  appearance 
of  evil  " 

The  defects  in  the  Old  School  division  consisted  mainly 
in  negligences  and  imprudences — such  as  admitting  mem- 
bers to  the  communion  of  the  church  in  a  hasty  and  un- 
presbyterial  manner;  examining  tlicm  for  admission  on 
the  day  of  communion,  or  on  their  first  cx[)ression  of  reli- 
gious interest — this  mode  becoming  habitual,  where  no 
emergency  of  sickness  or  necessary  absence  furnished  an 
apology  for  it;  neglect  and  carelessness  in  teaching  the  cate- 
chism to  the  children  of  the  church  ;  with  other  defects  of 
like  nature.  In  a  communication  on  this  point,  Mr.  Brainerd 
says  :  "  After  having  often  witnessed  the  high-pressure 
excitements  of  our  separated  brethren  in  some  parts  of  the 
country, — with  their  anxious-seats,  their  conversions  over- 
night and  admissions  to  the  church  in  the  morning,  their 
lax  discipline  and  low  moral  standard, — we  are  amazed  to 
hear  them  echo  the  cry  of  '  new  measures  and  disorder.'' 

"In  Western  New  York,  which  has  been  so  often  repre- 
sented as  desolated  by  fanaticism,  there  will  be  found  a 
higher  standard  of  ministerial  qualification,  a  more  thorough 
jjulpit  instruction  in  Calvinistic  theology,  a  larger  attend- 
ance upon  the  means  of  grace,  a  more  thorough  examina- 
tion for  admission  to  church  privileges,  a  more  effective 

15 


166        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAIXERD,  D.D. 

discipline,  as  well  as  more  regard  to  Sabbath-keeping  and 
temperance,  than  in  the  best  districts  cultiv^ated  by  our 
separated  brethren. " 

In  bis  own  church,  in  Philadelphia,  Mr.  Brainerd  encour- 
aged rewards  in  the  Sabbath-school  to  such  children  as  com- 
mitted perfectly  to  memory  the  Assembly's  catechism  ;  and 
in  one  of  the  mi.ssion-schools,  established  by  the  young 
men  of  his  church,  those  who  best  understood  the  catechism 
were  promoted  to  the  "Banner  class,"  which  bore  for  its 
motto,  "Hold  fast  the  form  of  sound  words." 

This  is  history  ;  and  the  recital  of  it  no  more  opposes  a 
perfect  '^reunion'''  than  the  facts  of  our  late  appalling  civil 
conflict  nullify 

"  The  awful  victory  we  have  won," 

and  the  lasting  peace  it  will  purchase. 

The  ecclesiastical,  like  the  civil  conflict,  was  a  warfare 
with  brethren;  and  the  reunion  of  both  will  be  more  firmly 
cemented  than  ever  when  "  Righteousness  and  Peace  have 
kissed  each  other." 

The  lives  of  these  men  cannot  be  written  without  "  call- 
ing to  remembrance  the  former  days,"  and  the  "  great  fight 
of  afflictions"  through  which  they  passed,  any  more  than 
the  history  of  our  country  can  be  written  without  recording 
the  terrible  strife  from  which  it  has  just  emerged.  Both 
have  come  out  purer  and  brighter,  and  stand  on  a  higher 
platform  to-day  for  their  fiery  trials. 

It  is  cause  of  profound  gratitude,  that  a  younger  class  of 
clergymen  can  see  above  the  clouds  of  battle,  as  the  smoke 
clears  away,  and  shake  bands  for  the  coming  centuries. 

No  man  would  have  rejoiced  more  intensely  over  the 
consummation  of  Reunion  ;  no  man  would  have  labored 
harder  for  it  than  Dr.  Brainerd.  Appointed  Chairman  of 
the  first  Committee  to  open  "fraternal  correspondence" 
with  the  other  branch  in  1849;  and  again  in  1866,  of  the 


CORRESPOXDEXCE.  161 

first  committee  on  Reunion ;  it  would  seem  as  though  he 
had  participated  in  forming  the  ''  Basis  of  Union"  when 
he  wrote,  seventeen  years  before,  as  defining  the  position 
of  the  New  School  division  :  "  OcR  Church  Standards 
AS  Symbols  for  Union,  but  the  Bible  for  Authority, 
is  the  motto  of  our  denomination.*' 

Nor  does  it  appear  unwarrantable  to  believe  that  the 
brethren  who  have  been  "  elected"'  to  "  The  General  Assem- 
bly and  Church  of  the  First  Born"  have  shared  with  those 
on  earth  in  the  joy  and  glory  of  the  reunited  church — Dr. 
Duffield  and  Dr.  Juukiu.  John  ^r.  Krebs  and  Thomas 
Brainerd. 

Dr.  Beeoher  to  T.  Brainerd.* 

••  Lane  Semixaet,  Xov.  19th,  1S3S. 

'•  Dear  Brother: 

********* 

"  The  trial  by  jury  may  be  for  the  best,  as  it  will  give 
us  the  benefit  of  public  sentiment,  sympathy,  persecution, 
abhorrence  of  despotic  ecclesiastical  power,  and  a  jealous 
vigilance  against  the  beginning  of  ecclesiastical  monopolies 
of  legislative,  judicial,  and  executive  power,  with  the  power 
of  the  purse  and  secular  patronage  ; — the  true  origin  of  the 
papal  power.  It  will  also  approximate  in  feeling  more  to 
a  court  of  equity,  and  give  our  evidence  and  argument  a 
larger  sweep. 

"It  must  not  be  forgotten  neither,  that  in  high  church 
Episcopacy  and  high  church  Methodism  there  is  a  lust  of 
power  and  dominion  not  unlike  to  that  claimed  by  our  high 
church  ;  and  if  there  be  any  danger  from  the  jury,  it  lies 
here,  and  should  be  guarded  against  by  our  counsel,  if  it 
can  be.     The  opposing  counsel,  certainly,  will  neglect  no 

*  This  letter  refers  to  the  lawsuit  in  the  Supreme  Court  of  Pennsjl- 
vania,  in  regard  to  the  constitutionalitv  of  the  Xew  School  division,  in- 
Tolving  questions  of  church  property. 


1(58        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

such  advantage  in  forming  the  jury  if  it  lies  within  tlie 
reach  of  their  dexterity,  and  our  counsel  must  not  sleep 
over  the  subject. 

"  The  claims  of  parliamentary  and  judicial  power,  and 
their  carrying  out  in  their  'Acts,'  is  blown  to  atoms  by 
'Historicus,'  and  needs  no  funeral  oration,  there  being 
nothing  left  to  bury.  It  is  a  claim  of  perfect,  despotic,  ir- 
responsible power,  sustained  by  no  vestige  of  evidence,  and 
contradicted  by  omnipotent  documentary  evidence.  It  de- 
stroys Presbyterianism  in  the  fundamental  right  of  appeal. 
The  Poles  might  as  well  appeal  to  Nicholas,  as  New  School 
minorities  to  the  Old  School  Assembly.  The  greatest 
danger  I  apprehend,  lies  in  the  reiterated  claim  of  genuine 
Presbyterianism  by  the  Old  School,  connected  with  the 
greatness  of  the  loss  to  them  if  that  law  should  take  its 
course.     To  oljliterate  this  : 

"  1.  The  evidence  of  early  and  constant  plans  of  union, 

"  2.  That  Congregational  and  Presbyterian  ministers 
were  the  primary  elements  of  American  Presbyterian 
churches ;  and  as  much  genuine  sons  of  the  church  as 
those  born  in  Scotland  or  the  metropolitan  city.  A 
second  obliterater  is,  that  their  peril  is  of  their  own 
creation,  in  attempting  to  subvert  our  rights, — the  pit  their 
own  hands  have  digged, — and,  therefore,  if  one  or  the  other 
must  fall  into  it,  it  should  be  those  who  dug  it. 

"  3.  The  whole  of  this  impression  is  removed  by  the 
consideration  that  our  claims,  sustained,  do  not  exclude 
them  if  they  choose  to  adhere  to  the  constitutional  church. 
We  have  not  accused  them  of  heresy,  or  instituted  vexa- 
tious trials,  or  declared  them  out  of  the  church,  avowedly 
to  give  us  the  power  to  control  and  despoil  them.  We 
shut  not  the  door  of  the  church  against  them.  We  only 
claim  a  constitutional  organization  to  protect  our  rights, 
and  theirs  too,   if  they  choose  to  avail  themselves  of  it. 


CORRESPONDENCE.  169 

The  confirmation  of  our  constitutional  organization  will 
not  di-sfranchise  them,  if  they  choose  to  'abide  in  the 
ship  ;'  and  only  on  their  voluntary  abandonment  of  the 
church. 

"  There  is  another  reason  for  an  unflinching,  straight 
course,  if  it  fall  on  our  side,  which  is,  that  it  is  the  direct 
road  to  peace ;  to  prevent  the  disastrous  division  and 
rending  of  families,  churches,  and  Presbyteries  even  now 
begun  ;  and  to  unite  more  than  three-fourths  of  the  entire 
church  in  firmer,  sweeter  bonds  of  love  and  concord  than 
before.  The  ultras,  if  they  go  off,  will  be  few,  and  leave 
the  church  at  rest.  If  they  come  in,  they  return  defeated 
and  shorn  of  power  and  influence  to  kindle  up  the  fires  of 
contention  again;  and  we  may  calculate  on  'peace  as  a 
river,'  till  the  millennial  day. 

"  The  plea  of  numbers  will  be  relied  on  some ;  but 
theirs  is  a  majority  created  by  their  own  unconstitutional 
action ;  by  their  monopoly  of  the  discipline  and  patronage 
of  the  church,  and  by  that  reckless,  daring  violence  and 
courtly  management  which  make  the  ambitious  and  the 
timid,  who  in  fact  are  with  us,  halt  between  two.  For 
five  years  out  of  seven  we  had  majorities.  In  thirty-seven 
we  were  a  majority  of  the  whole  church,  had  we  been  re- 
presented ;  and  if  all  who  disapprove  of  the  whole  perse- 
cuting course,  and  would  willingly  walk  with  us  in  love 
and  fellowship,  are  included,  we  should  constitute  three- 
fourths  of  the  entire  church,  especially  if  those  who  have 
gone  against  us  on  account  of  slavery  are  struck  off.  But 
after  all,  majorities  do  not  make  right  or  determine  law ; 
and  will  not,  I  am  persuaded,  be  allowed  in  our  case  to 
do  so. 

"  All  quibbling  about  our  heresy  and  reference  to  doc- 
trine is  shut  out  by  the  repeated  acquittals  Ijy  large  major- 

15* 


no        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,   D.D. 

ities  of  the  greatest  alleged  heretics,  including  the  votes  of 
Old  School  men,  and  by  our  repeated  public  adhesion  to 
the  Confession. 

"  This  is  all,  doubtless,  familiar  to  our  counsel,  and  yet, 
if  you  think  it  proper,  I  shall  be  glad  to  have  these  sug- 
gestions submitted  to  their  consideration,  praying  most 
devoutly  that  the  Head  of  the  church  may  guide  and 
sustain  them  in  their  effort  to  secure  the  right,  and  restore 
the  peace  and  prosperity  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  It 
is  in  the  hands  of  God  and  able  counsel,  and  I  leave  it. 
But  however  it  goes,  our  counsel  have  no  fears  for  Lane 
in  a  trial  in  Ohio  "  Yours, 

"  L.  Beecher.'' 


CHAPTER    IX. 

PERSONAL  CHARACTERISTICS — EVENTS  OF   PASTORAL    LIFE 

ANECDOTES. 

n^HOSE  best  acquainted  with  Mi'.  Brainerd  were  the  most 
-L  impressed  with  the  frankness  and  transparency  of  his 
character.  There  was  a  child-like  simplicity  about  him 
which  revealed  his  thoughts  almost  unconsciously  to  him- 
self. He  was  utterly  unable  to  conceal  his  feelings,  even 
Avhere  a  wise  policy  might  justify  such  concealment.  Ap- 
probation or  displeasure,  respect  or  contempt,  joy  or  grief, 
flashed  out  in  his  face  before  his  voice  could  give  its  cor- 
roborative testimony  to  his  feelings. 

Naturally  very  impulsive  and  quick-tempered,  he  often 
said  no  one  but  himself  knew  the  efforts  he  made  for  self- 
control,  nor  the  pain  he  endured  over  his  ill  success.  His 
language  was  always  the  exponent  of  his  heart  and  his 
conscience. 

Possessed  of  a  highly  nervous  temperament,  with  great 
conscientiousness,  he  easily  fell  into  morbid  views  of  reli- 
gious experience,  such  as  characterized  David  and  John 
Brainerd.  His  standard  was  so  far  above  human  attainment 
that,  like  Paul,  he  "counted  not  himself  to  have  appre- 
hended" the  measure  of  his  duty  or  the  proofs  of  his 
acceptance.  AYhen  his  health  faltered,  or  his  plans  for 
usefulness  were  obstructed,  if  he  could  not  overcome  the 
obstacles,  he  became  mentally  depressed.  Always  w^ork- 
ing  under  high-pressure,  he  suffered  the  natural  reaction 
in  nervous  prostration.     It  was  very  common  for  him  to 

(HI) 


1'72        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

feel  and  say,  after  a  most  successful  enterprise  or  a  long'- 
continued  revival,  "that  this  was  his  last  work — that  he 
felt  his  time  was  short — that  he  must  set  his  house  in 
order," — with  like  expressions.  His  friends  sometimes 
endeavored  to  banter  him  out  of  these  moods;  but  soon 
found  the  surest  course  was  to  get  him  off  on  a  journey, 
and  with  a  few  days  or  weeks  of  recreation,  under  the  in- 
fluence of  new  scenes  and  climate,  he  would  return  as 
fresh  and  vigorous  as  ever,  and  work  on  for  another  year 
without  once  recalling  his  apprehensions. 

The  development  of  fraud,  treachery,  or  injustice,  roused 
Mr.  Brainerd  to  great  indignation ;  and  for  offenders  in 
these  respects  his  eyes  and  words  meted  out  no  gentle 
measure  of  retribution.  He  frequently  regretted  his  im- 
pulsive severity  afterward,  feeling  that  the  rebuke  exceeded 
the  magnitude  of  the  offense. 

He  never  fostered  ill  feelings  or  retained  a  grudge  against 
an  opponent ;  but  when  the  occasion  of  dissent  was  passed, 
would  renew  the  former  kindliness  of  intercourse  ;  often 
with  surprise  to  find  it  coldly  received. 

After  he  had  been  settled  about  three  years  in  Phila- 
delphia, a  contributor  to  the  newspaper  press  amused 
himself  and  the  community  by  writing  spirited  sketches 
of  public  men  in  the  city,  both  of  the  bar  and  the  pulpit, 
which  were  published  in  the  secular  papers.  As  wise 
people  know  what  degree  of  allowance  to  make  for  these 
pen  pictures,  we  prefer  to  give  the  testimony  of  outside 
witnesses,  as  free  from  the  imputation  of  that  partiality 
which  insensibly  clings  to  the  record  of  interested  friends. 

"Pencilings  of  the  Pulpit."— No.  5. 
REV.  MR.  BRAINERD. 

"  The  celebrity  which  Mr.  Brainerd  enjoyed  as  a  preacher 
preceded  him  from  Cincinnati  to  this  city,  and  raised  high 
expectations  here  of  his  talents  and  his  manly  eloquence. 


PERSONAL    CHARACTERISTICS.  HS 

Few  who  have  listened  to  him  have  been  disappointed  in 
their  anticipations;  and  his  congTog-ation  only  grow  more 
attached  to  him  as  they  know  him  better. 

"The  personal  appearance  of  Mr.  Brainerd  is,  in  the 
pulpit,  remarkably  fine.  His  face  is  frank  and  intellectual, 
with  an  eye  of  much  power,  and  a  commanding  brow.  He 
does  not,  however,  avail  himself  of  his  appearance  to  be- 
come a  master  in  action,  but  rather  affects  the  calm,  im- 
passioned gestures  of  a  lecturer  in  a  synagogue.  On  rising, 
he  adjusts  his  manuscript  carefully  before  him,  places  his 
hands  at  convenient  distances  on  each  side  of  the  pulpit 
cushion,  and  thus  resting  upon  them,  scans  tlie  audience 
with  a  searching  glance,  and  plunges  at  once  into  the  mid- 
dle of  his  subject,  never  relieving  himself  from  his  easy, 
though  awkward  posture,  except  to  enforce  some  striking 
truth  by  a  sudden,  impassioned  motion  of  the  hand.  It  is 
only  some  startling  thought,  some  lofty  idea,  or  some  re- 
sistless argument,  which  breaks  in  upon  '  the  even  tenor 
of  his  way.' 

"  Far  different  is  the  style  of  Mr  Brainerd's  oratory.  If 
his  gestures  are  uncouth,  his  rhetoric  is  by  no  means  like 
them.  In  fact,  the  whole  of  his  power,  as  a  speaker,  con- 
sists in  the  matter  rather  than  the  manner  of  his  sermons. 
His  efforts,  judged  as  compositions,  would  rank  high  in 
the  scale  of  mind,  and  call  down  praises  from  the  keenest 
critic  or  tlie  most  unflinching  enemy  of  written  sermons. 
It  is  a  style  peculiar  to  himself,  distinguished  by  mingled 
logic  and  declamation;  full,  flowing,  and  rich,  with  little 
rant  and  no  tinsel  ;  slightly  antithetical,  but  never  arti- 
ficial ;  condensed  at  times,  but  diffuse  when  necessary;  full 
of  sound  logic,  and  kindling  with  feeling;  strong,  impas- 
sioned, argumentative,  unanswerable  ; — it  sweeps  down 
upon  the  reason  and  the  heart  together,  rolls  resistlessly 
across  the  mind,  and  whirls  away  with  it  the  thousand 
excuses  of  the  hearer.     Few  men  weld  argument  and  ap- 


n-i        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

peal  so  powerfully  together  ;  and  few  men  enforce  their 
argument  with  such  labor  and  research.  All  that  ancient 
histor\^  affords,  all  that  Biblical  criticism  has  discovered,  is 
brought  in  to  uphold  his  positions,  until  the  mind  staggers 
under  the  accumulated  testimony;  our  convictions  yield, 
our  opinions  talie  color  from  his  own,  and  we  wonder  that 
we  never  before  saw  the  subject  in  so  strong  a  light.  Nor 
does  he  pause  in  this  compact  and  glowing  strain  of  argu- 
mentation. Each  link  is  welded  into  the  other,  and  the 
whole  is  riveted  together  with  consummate  strength. 
From  the  first  sentence  to  the  last,  one  universal  truth 
pervades  the  whole  ;  and,  though  a  score  of  lesser  ones 
arise  and  are  illustrated  in  the  course  of  his  remarks,  they 
all  tend  to  establish  the  one  great  idea,  and  lend  their  in- 
fluence to  impress  it  at  last  upon  the  mind.  As  the  lens 
concentrates  the  scattered  rays  upon  a  focus,  so  each  sepa- 
rate idea  is  brought  forcibly  to  bear  upon  one  point.  This 
is  the  great  secret  of  powerful  oratory ;  by  it  not  a  thought 
is  lost,  but  even  the  idlest  illustration  is  made  to  tell.  It 
is  gathering  the  electric  fluid  into  one  burning  chain  ;  it  is 
pouring  a  hundred  rills  into  one  mighty  river. 

"  The  voice  of  Mr.  Brainerd  is  strong,  sweet,  almost  mu- 
sical. Some  of  its  intonations  are  peculiarly  fine,  and  re- 
mind us  of  the  deep  breathings  of  an  organ.  Few  but 
admire  the  elocution,  though  scarcelv  any  praise  the  action 
of  the  speaker.  We  trust,  by  improving  one  without  less- 
ening the  other,  he  will  win  for  himself  his  proper  station 
as  a  pulpit  orator.  Most  men  may  acquire  gesture,  but 
Heaven  only  endows  the  mind." 

This  sketch  was  published  in  the  fall  of  1839  ;  and  its 
truthfulness  can  be  attested  or  disproved  by  his  numerous 
hearers  through  his  long  ministry.  Mr.  Brainerd  was 
perfectly  conscious  of  his  defects  of  manner.  He  was 
naturally  diffident,  and  could  never  feel  perfectly  at  ease 


PERSONAL   CHARACTERISTICS.  175 

before  an  audience.  He  had  a  great  contempt  for  cox- 
combry in  the  pulpit;  and  it  was  easy  for  him  to  forget 
himself  when  absorbed  in  his  great  subjects.  Yet  he  was 
not  insensible  to  the  advantages  of  a  thorough  physical  and 
elocutionary  training  for  a  public  speaker.  Rev.  Thornton 
A.  Mills,  who  succeeded  him  in  the  Fourth  Church  of  Cin- 
cinnati, visited  Philadelphia  in  the  spring  of  1839,  and 
occupied  the  pulpit  in  the  morning,  while  Mr.  Brainerd 
preached  in  the  afternoon.  When  they  reached  home,  Mr. 
Mills  said,  playfully  : 

"  Brainerd,  you  haven't  improved  a  bit  since  you  left 
Cincinnati.  Why  don't  you  throw  away  that  paper  and 
reel  it  off  to  them,  as  you  did  at  the  West  ?" 

Mr.  Brainerd  preached  extemporaneously  half  of  the 
time,  but  he  found  the  habit  of  writing  one  sermon  a  week 
of  great  service  to  him,  notwithstanding  Brother  Mills' 
opinion. 

City  congregations  scatter  during  the  summer,  es- 
pecially Philadelphia  congregations.  Being  too  far  inland 
for  the  benefit  of  sea-breezes,  with  the  surrounding  coun- 
try very  level,  it  is  an  exceedingly  hot  city  from  the  mid- 
dle of  June  to  the  middle  of  September.  Every  one  who 
can,  endeavors  to  get  away  for  a  season  ;  returning  leisurely 
through  September  and  October.  This  makes  the  winter 
the  working  season  for  city  ministers,  and  the  spring  com- 
munion the  period  of  their  gathered  harvest.  Every  year 
of  Mr.  Brainerd's  ministry  was  more  or  less  marked  by 
special  religious  interest  during  the  winter  ;  and  as  he 
never  spared  himself,  but  worked  to  the  utmost  limit  of 
his  strength,  he  almost  invariably  suffered,  from  the  reac- 
tion of  this  protracted  mental  excitement,  by  nervous  pros- 
tration. A  season  of  rest  and  relaxation  was  needful  to 
restore  the  tone  of  his  nerves  and  spirits. 

Shortly  after  the  March  communion  of  1839,  Dr.  Thomas 
H.  Skinner,  of  New  York,  came  to  Philadelphia,  in  very 


176        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

much  the  same  physical  condition  as  Mr.  Brainerd,  and 
from  the  same  cause. 

He  persuaded  Mr.  Brainerd  to  go  with  him  to  his 
native  place,  Edenton,  N.  C,  for  their  mutual  benefit ;  and 
they  left  Philadelphia  on  the  8th  of  April,  reaching  Eden- 
ton, by  steamboat  and  railway,  on  the  10th.  The  region 
was  new,  and  Mr.  Brainerd  enjoyed  the  visit  greatly.  His 
letters  home  will  give  the  best  report  of  his  impressions. 

"Edesto.v,  N.  C,  April  11th,  18.S9. 

"  Here  I  am  four  hundred  miles  south  from  Philadel- 
phia. AVe  reached  this  place  last  evening,  and  1  found  the 
journey  here  very  pleasant.  Dr.  Skinner  is  excellent  com- 
pany. Tlie  family  consists  of  his  brother,  J.  B.  Skinner, 
Esq.,  and  his  only  daughter.  They  live  in  princely  style, 
and  are  fine  specimens  of  Southern  hospitality.  To-day 
we  rode  five  miles  on  horseback  to  a  fishing-place,  where 
I  saw  five  thousand  herrings  caught  at  one  haul."  *     * 

"Edenton,  April  16th,  1839. 

"Up  to  last  Sabbath  I  felt  no  improvement  in  my 
health,  but  I  am  now  radicall}^  better.  I  have  been  con- 
stantly riding  out  with  Dr.  Skinner  to  see  his  friends. 
They  give  him  everywhere  a  most  hearty  welcome.  Life 
here  is  different  from  an3'thing  which  I  have  seen  before. 

"  Last  Sabbath  I  heard  Dr.  Skinner  in  the  morning, 
and  heard  the  Methodist  minister  preach  to  slaves  in  the 
afternoon.  The  church  was  given  up  to  them.  About 
fifty  received  the  communion  of  the  Lord's  Supper.  They 
seemed  happy,  and  were  orderly. 

"There  are  large  fishing-places  five  miles  from  us,  on 
Albemarle  Sound.  I  have  seen  three  draughts  of  from 
four  to  ten  thousand  each, — shad,  herring,  catfish,  rockfish, 
sturgeon.     We  have  had  every  variety  of  fish,  dressed  iu 

flllC^tVIG"  ^  ^  ^  '^  ^  '^ 


EVENTS   OF  PASTORAL   LIFE.  1^7 

In  the  evening  Dr.  Skinner  and  Mr.  Brainerd  attended 
a  prayer-meeting  witli  tlie  slaves.  One  old  colored  man 
thanked  the  Lord  that  they  had  been  spared  "  to  see 
young  Massa  Tom  come  home  once  more  I"  Dr.  Skinner 
carried  out  this  impression,  by  running  over  the  place  with 
a  boy's  enthusiasm,  to  show  Mr.  Brainerd  where  he 
"snared  rabbits,"  and  carried  on  various  achievements  of 
juvenile  adventure. 

When  they  returned  to  the  North,  two  pretty  little 
white  slave  girls,  with  blue  eyes  and  brown  hair,  were 
placed  under  their  charge  to  be  sent  to  school  in  New 
England;  this  being  the  only  mode  by  which,  thirty  years 
ago,  their  emancipation  and  education  could  be  secured. 
So  far  as  good  looks,  becoming  dress  and  deportment  were 
concerned,  these  children  might  have  passed  for  their  own 
through  the  whole  homeward  route. 

At  the  March  communion  of  1840,  Mr.  Brainerd  received 
eighty-four  new  members  to  the  church — seventy-eight  of 
them  on  profession.  During  the  three  years  and  one  month 
of  his  ministry  here,  three  hundred  and  nineteen  persons 
were  added  to  the  church.  One  hundred  and  three  were 
received  in  the  year  1838.  The  church-meetings  were 
uniformly  crowded,  so  that  the  aisles  and  pulpit  steps  were 
occupied  in  all  seasons  of  fair  weather. 

Clinton  Street  Church  about  this  time  was  advertised 
for  sale  at  public  auction,  and  was  in  danger  of  passing 
from  the  denomination.  Rev.  Anson  Rood  and  Mr.  Brai- 
nerd bid  it  in  for  thirty  thousand  dollars,  without  having 
a  single  dollar  wherewith  to  meet  the  purchase.  They 
made  great  efforts  to  collect  this  large  sum  of  money  in 
the  ten  days  of  grace  allowed  them,  and  succeeded.  It 
might  almost  be  said  that  Mr.  Brainerd  worked  day  and 
night  for  this  object;  for  he  spoke  out  in  his  sleep  very 
distinctly  one  night,  saying,  "Thy  money  perish  icith 
theeT^    After  being  roused  to  a  consciousness  of  this  apos- 

16 


nS        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAIN EUD,  D.D. 

tolic  abjuration,  and  enjoying  a  laugh  over  it,  he  said  he 
was  dreaming  that  a  rich  man  refused  to  give  him  a  dona- 
tion for  Clinton  Street  Church,  after  he  had  exhausted  every 
argument  in  his  appeal  for  it. 

From  Dr.  Lyman  Beecher. 

"Lane  Semisary,  May  2.'5d,  1840. 

"  My  dear  Brother  : 

"  I  expect  to  be  with  3'ou  about  the  28th  of  June,  to  at- 
tend to  matters  far  and  wide,  at  the  East,  essential  to  the 
prosperity  of  Lane  Seminary  and  the  constitutional  church. 

"Our  cause,  I  see,  is  rising  in  Pennsylvania,  and  every- 
where at  the  East.  It  would  rise  still  faster  and  more 
powerfully  here  if  we  had  (as  we  once  had)  a  supply  of 
ministers,  and  if  we  could  have  a  fair  portion  of  Eastern 
patronage  in  students.  But  what  Breckenridg-e  said  he 
wished  to  do,  he  seems  to  have  done,  by  the  quarrel  in  our 
church,  viz.,  to  tie  up  the  jugular  vein  between  New  Eng- 
land and  the  West.  The  benevolent,  brotherly,  paternal, 
and  missionary  feeling  of  ministers  and  churches  has  al- 
most expired,  and  the  work  of  charity  and  prayer  of  fifty 
years  is  left  to  take  care  of  itself.     *         *         *         * 

"  Now,  if  in  the  Presbyterian  Church  and  in  New  Eng- 
land tlie  ministers  and  churches  help  us,  our  cause  will 
go  beyond  measure ;  but  if  the  missionary  feeling  for  the 
West  cool  down,  other  denominations — Campbellites,  and 
all  sorts  of  *  i/cs,'  will  occupy  the  ground.  You  know  that 
the  New  School  have  been  God's  pioneers  in  laying  foun- 
dations and  building  up  the  permanent  Christian  institu- 
tions of  the  West,  And  you  know  how  immeasurably 
important  it  is  that  we  hold  our  own,  and  move  on  in  this 
work  to  its  consunimation.  If  Lane  Seminary  receives, 
the  coming  year  and  hereafter,  a  cordial  patronage  in  stu- 
dents, the  great  course  of  events  will  soon  roll  on  rapidly 
and  with  irresistible  power;  but  if  a  temporary  derelic- 


CORRESPONDENCE.  n9 

tion  betide  us,  a  reverse  such  as  you  dream  not  of — and 
for  which  no  place  for  repentance  will  be  found — is  at  the 
door.  I  am  coming  on  to  tell  you  more  than  I  can  write, 
and  more  than  my  heart  can  hold.  We  have  gained  the 
battle  completely  at  the  AVest,  prospectively,  if  we  are 
sustained ;  and  have  lost  it,  too,  if  we  are  not.  And  all 
now  needed  to  secure  the  labors  of  half  a  century,  is  but 
the  dust  of  the  balance  to  what  has  been  done.  Shall  it 
be  lost, — the  building, — for  want  of  its  finishing  ?  the  ship, 
— in  sight  of  harbor, — for  a  momentary  effort  of  great  ease 
and  certain  success  ? 

"  Lane  Seminary  is  the  Gibraltar  of  the  West.  It  can, 
with  Eastern  and  Western  patronage  united,  pour  out  a 
powerful  supply,  augmenting  every  year,  till  other  institu- 
tions are  needed  and  arise ;  and  a  small  general  effort  will 
give  us  free  course  forever. 

"  The  additional  subject  I  alluded  to  is  my  own  sup- 
port. By  economy,  and  the  liberality  of  my  own  people, 
I  have  got  along  to  this  time.  Now,  if  I  can  secure  six 
hundred  dollars  for  one  or  two  years,  if  needful,  I  can  get 
along,  and  if  I  cannot  gather  some  such  temporary  aid,  I 
see  not  how  I  can  stagger  under  double  labor  and  poverty 
beside ;  and  if  I  should  stop,  as  there  is  now  no  income  to 
my  professorship,  I  know  not  who  could  go  through  the 
course  of  labor  through  which  God  has  been  pleased  to 
sustain  me,  or  how  my  place  could  be  supplied. 

"God  has  been  favorable  to  us  in  the  Second  Church 
the  past  winter;  and  the  last  two  months  has  brought  in 
almost  the  whole  circle  of  my  most  important  young  fami- 
lies. This  makes  three  revivals  which  I  have  superin- 
tended the  three  last  successive  years,  —  during  which 
years  I  have  lectured  six  times  a  week,  and  preached  five 
times,  and  often  six,  besides  parochial  visits.*     If  n)y  mind 

*  Dr.  Beecber  was  at  this  time  sixty-five  years  of  age. 


180        LIFE   OF  REV.   TIIO^IAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

is  free  from  secular  embarrassment,  I  may  last  some  years 
longer ;  but  I  know  how  much  I  can  bear,  and  when,  if 
the  cord  be  pressed  farther,  it  will  break. 

"  So  you  see  I  am  coming  to  you,  my  son  and  friend, 
who  have  so  often  and  nobly  stood  by  me  and  the  cause, 
to  appeal  once  more  to  your  heart  and  head,  and  probably 
for  the  last  time  it  will  ever  be  needful. 

"  Please  reply  to  this,  and  b}"-  all  means  let  me  know 
that  you  will  be  glad  to  see  me;  and  that  you  think  you 
can  gatiier  up  crumbs  enough  from  all  your  tables  to  feed 
me  for  a  season  while  1  work  for  the  Lord  and  his 
church. 

"Affectionately  yours, 

"  Lyman  Beecher." 

Dr.  Beecher's  visits  to  Philadelphia,  when  he  always 
made  his  home  with  Mr.  Brainerd,  were  seasons  of  great 
social  enjoyment  and  intellectual  holidays.  The  love  and 
reverence  with  which  he  was  regarded  made  labor  and 
sacrifices  in  his  behalf  not  only  light,  but  a  positive 
pleasure.  In  reply  to  one  of  Dr.  Beecher's  letters,  about 
this  time,  Mr.  Brainerd  says :  "  In  all  my  acquaintance 
with  men,  I  have  known  but  one  to  whom  I  could  be 
subordinate  with  pride,  and  with  and  for  whom  I  could 
cheerfully  suffer  persecution.  Doctor,  you  have  had  many 
bitter  assailants;  it  will  do  you  no  harm  to  receive  these 
assurances  of  love  and  vei,ieration  from  one  who  knows 
your  private  character  as  Avell  as  your  public  services." 

From  Rev.  Lyman  Beecher. 

"Cincinnati,  Feb.  1841. 

"  Dear  Brainerd  : 

"  My  return  by  Philadelphia  was  prevented  by  paternal 
obligation  to  visit  my  children  on  the  Northern  route;  and 
this  long  silence  has  been  caused,  you  know  how,  by  six 
lectures  a  week  and  four  sermons,  care  of  the  seminary  and 


CORRESPONDENCE.  181 

of  the  church,  weddings,  funerals,  Presbyteries,  Synods, 
whicli  have  left  me  scarcely  time  to  eat,  and  none  at  all  in 
the  daytime  to  sleep. 

"Our  concerns  at  the  West  are,  I  think,  convalescent; 
'bone  is  coming  to  its  bone,'  and  the  constitutional  body 
is  approximating  to  compactness,  animation,  and  vigor. 
The  incubus  is  off  at  length  from  Kentucky  ;  and  as  soon 
as  she  can  command  a  supply  of  efficient  ministers,  she 
will  make  a  noble  development  of  vigor  and  zeal,  and  be- 
come one  of  the  best  of  the  Western  States,  especially 
when  the  incubus  of  slavery  is  thrown  otf,  which  is  an 
event  rapidly  approaching. 

"  The  seminary  is  more  and  more  appreciated  as  a  heart 
of  power  to  our  church,  and  securing  the  confidence  and 
patronage  of  ministers  and  churches,  and  of  the  young 
men,  whether  Old  School  or  New,  and  without  respect  to 
antislavery  affinities  or  repellencies.         *         *         * 

"  Nothing  possible  to  be  done  by  me  to  keep  the  channel 
open  and  the  flood  rolling  in  and  the  stream  rolling  out  to 
make  glad  the  West  shall  be  omitted.  Having  first  given 
my  own  self  and  all  my  Eastern  associations,  money  is 
nothing.  But  the  diversion  of  my  funds  has  brought  me 
to  the  place  where,  without  some  help  from  my  friends,  I 
shall  be  sorely  pres.sed,  for  my  necessities  just  now  are  no 
fiction. 

"  We  have  now  twenty  students  for  whom  we  have  not 
been  able  to  make  out  half  the  antiual  appropriation.  The 
young  men  stand  poverty  and  short  living  and  short  cloth- 
ing nobly,  rather  than  to  break  away  from  their  studies ;  and 
the  estimation  of  a  thorough  course,  and  a  determination 
if  possible  to  secure  it,  we  rejoice  to  see  increasing. 

"And  now,  dear  brother,  you  have  all  my  heart  in  your 
hands,  with  such  a  fullness  of  affection  and  confidence  and 
comfort  as  is  afforded  by  few,  since  so  many  much-loved 
ones  have  gone  to  heaven,  and  sjme  that  remain  have  dis- 

IG* 


182        TJFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

appointed  and  abused  my  confidence.  But  I  am  neither 
misanthropic,  nor  melancholy,  nor  weary  in  the  work  of 
the  Lord,  but  thankful  that  lie  continues  as  yet  ray  powers 
of  mind  and  body,  and  am  determined  to  consecrate  to  his 
service  the  whole  of  what  remains  of  heart  and  soul  and 
time  and  strength.  One  thing  I  do  feel  most  deeply — the 
absence  of  counsels  and  co-operation  of  personal  friends. 
But  we  cannot  all  be  together  in  this  world,  and  it  is  better 
to  serve  Christ  than  to  enjoy  one  another.  I  keep  watch 
of  your  movements,  and  rejoice  in  your  prosperity. 

"  Lyman  Beecher." 

From  the  same. 

"Walnut  Hills,  Maj-  9th,  1841. 
"  I  sympathize  with  you  in  anxiety  about  the  coming 
Assembly.  Though  I  am  opposed  to  ultra  measures,  I 
fear  the  course  some  propose,  to  '  leave  slavery  to  politics 
aud  God's  providence,  without  marring  every  meeting  of 
Assembly,'  would  lead  to  the  most  ultra  measures  possi- 
ble ;  I  mean  the  disruption  of  a  large  portion  of  our  West- 
ern Church,  with  a  sad  rending  of  many  churches  in  both 
divisions.  If  the  memorials  and  petitions  that  will  come 
before  you  are  met  with  coldness  or  evasion, — if  the  lead- 
ing brethren  in  New  York  and  Philadelphia,  instead  of 
conservative,  mediatorial  influence  between  the  two  ex- 
tremes, rather  amalgamate  with  the  Southern  policy  of 
'letting  alone,'  there  is,  in  my  belief,  an  avalanche  totter- 
ing on  the  brink,  such  as  you  are  not  aware  of,  which  will 
thunder  down.  There  are  multitudes  of  our  best  ministers 
and  churches  that  will  abide  as  long  as  there  is  any  hope 
tkat  the  Assembly  will  do  something,  and  who,  if  nothing 
is  done,  will,  I  believe,  abandon  our  church.  I  think' they 
will  err  in  judgment,  but  that  they  will  do  so  I  cannot 
doubt,  if  they  are  met  by  an  augmented  do  nothing  party 
in  alliance  with  the  South. 


CORRESrONDENCE.  183 

"I  think  it  were  better  if  they  would  alhjw  'the  Earth 
to  help  the  woman,'  by  allowing  the  wrath  of  men  in 
politics  to  work  out  the  righteousness  of  God,  and  much 
more,  to  await  the  antislavery  movement  at  the  South, 
which  with  great  power  is  moving  and  cannot  be  stopped. 

"  I  do  think  that  discussion  enough  on  the  moral  and  re- 
ligious merit  of  slavery  has  been  had,  and  resolutions 
enough  repeated  ;  but  I  do  think  that  in  the  form  of  a  pas- 
toral letter  an  argument  for  temporary  forbearance  on  both 
sides  might  be  written,  which  would  have  a  soothing. 
Christian  influence,  much  better  than  any  possible  resolu- 
tions or  action.  In  fact,  there  is  now  no  difficulty,  if  the 
parties  will  only  stand  still  and  see  the  salvation  of  God, 
which  is  coming  to  our  aid  rapidly  and  powerfully.  It 
will  be  suicidal  to  throw  ourselves  into  confusion  and 
destruction  just  when  God  is  rushing  to  our  aid. 

"I  have  written  merely  to  satisfy  my  own  conscience  and 
be  able  to  say  I  have  done  what  I  could. 

"Yours  affectionately, 

"  Lyman  Beech er." 

These  letters  contain  so  much  history  of  the  struggles 
of  those  years  of  travail  that  they  ought  not  to  be  sup- 
pressed. 

In  the  spring  of  1842  Mr.  Brainerd  visited  Cincinnati. 
In  writing  home,  under  date  of  April  13th,  1842,  he  says  : 

"I  reached  this  place  yesterday.  I  met  a  warm  recep- 
tion at  Judge  Burnet's,  and,  as  yet,  have  been  nowhere 
else,  except  to  visit  my  old  house.  This  morning  I  shall 
go  up  to  see  Dr.  Beecher."        ***** 

"April  16th.  Wednesday,  I  spent  the  morning  in  call- 
ing upon  some  old  friends,  who  all  seemed  glad  to  see  me. 
In  the  afternoon  I  rode  out  to  Fulton,  where  I  was  first 
sjttled.  Here  I  raised  a  great  excitement.  The  old  ladies 
all  cried  over  me,  and  my  friends  seemed  to  be  as  warm  in 


184   LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAIKERD,  D.D. 

their  love  as  ever.  Indeecl,  I  think  the  old  church  of  Ful- 
ton embraces  the  most  attached  friends  I  ever  yet  made. 
More  than  a  dozen  inquired  if  I  was  not  ready  to  come 
back.  They  told  me  of  old  times  and  other  days,  until 
yeai'S  seemed  to  be  almost  annihilated. 

"  Last  evening  they  all  collected  in  the  old  church,  when 
I  talked  to  them  for  an  hour.  I  have  a  good  horse  at  my 
disposal,  and  I  ride  about  to  all  my  old  haunts.  My  mind, 
hitherto,  has  been  kept  cheerful,  though  some  sadness  is 
mingled  with  the  tlioughts  of  other  days.  I  see  great 
changes,  physical  and  moral ;  and  I  find  that  I  myself  am 
greatly  changed.     ******* 

"  Mrs.  Burnet  is  still  to  me  all  that  she  was  in  days 
gone  by." 

After  his  return  home,  Mr.  Brainerd  received  another 
invitation  to  take  charge  of  a  new  church  enterprise  in  St. 
Louis,  backed  by  an  urgent  letter  from  Dr.  Artemus  Bul- 
lard,  from  which  the  following  extract  is  made: 

"Sr.  Louis,  May  12th,  1842. 

"Dear  Brother  Brainerd: 

"  The  Third  Church,  recently  formed  in  this  city,  is 
composed  of  a  large  share  of  my  best  and  most  active 
members.  They  wish  to  obtain  one  of  the  best  ministers 
in  the  land  for  their  pastor.  They  should  have  such  a 
pastor.  In  no  place  in  the  land  could  such  a  man  do  more 
good.  They  will  proceed  at  once  to  build  a  large  house, 
and  will  be  one  of  the  largest  churches  in  this  city. 

"  Our  city  has  more  than  doubled  its  inhabitants  during 
the  four  years  1  have  been  here.  I  would  rejoice  to  have 
you  a  co-laborer  in  this  city. 

"  Will  you  write  me  immediately,  letting  me  know 
whether  you  could  be  induced,  on  any  conditions,  to  come 
and  be  the  pastor  of  this  church? 

"  They  are  in  great  haste;  and  if  you  cannot,  under  any 


EVENTS   OF  PASTORAL   LIFE.  185 

circumstances,  come  yourself,  can  you  name  a  g-ood  man 
who  would  probalily  come  ?     I  cannot  tell  you  ho\v  impor- 
tant it  is  that  they  should  have  a  first-rate  pastor  soon. 
"  Your  affectionate  brother, 

"A.    BULLARD." 

Mr.  Brainerd  had  been  settled  only  five  years  in  Phila- 
delphia, and  he  was  not  a  man  to  make  easy  changes.  He 
said  he  could  not  keep  his  heart  on  a  swivel,  to  l)e  turned 
by  every  influence.  So  this  proposition  was  again  de- 
clined. 

The  next  June  Mr.  Brainerd  went  as  a  delegate  to  the 
General  Conference  of  Maine,  which  met  at  Portland.  He 
attended  the  General  Association  of  Massachusetts  at 
Westboro',  near  Boston,  the  week  following,  stopping  two 
days  at  Wilton,  N.  H.,  where  he  assisted  to  build  up  a 
little  church  in  his  student  days,  and  then  made  a  short 
visit  to  Andover,  and  addressed  the  Sabbath-school  of 
which  he  was  formerly  the  superintendent. 

In  connection  with  the  business  of  the  General  Confer- 
ence of  Maine  the  usual  spring  anniversaries  of  the  reli- 
gious societies  were  held.  At  one  of  these,  the  Maine 
Missionary  Society,  Mr.  Brainerd  made  a  speech.  He 
always  had  a  horror  of  high  pulpits.  Suffering  as  he  did 
from  vertigo  while  speaking,  a  high  pulpit  invariably 
aggravated  this  uncomfortable  symptom.  Observing  that 
the  pulpit  in  the  church  where  the  anniversaries  were  held 
was  an  old-fashioned  one  of  more  than  ordinary  elevation, 
Mr.  Brainerd  declined  going  into  the  pulpit,  and  made  his 
address  on  the  platform  in  front  of  it.  In  the  nevvspaper 
report  of  the  anniversaries,  it  was  said,  "  The  Rev.  Mr. 
Brainerd  of  Philadelphia,  with  a  modesty  truly  j^^^^possess- 
ing,  declined  to  enter  the  pulpit,  making  his  speech  on  the 
platform  below  it  " 

This  report,  copied  into  the  New  York  Evangelist  and 


186        LIFE   OF  REV.  THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

the  Observer,  reached  Philadelphia  before  he  did.  On  re- 
joining- his  brethren  of  the  Pastoral  Association,  he  was 
obliged  to  run  the  gauntlet  of  raillery  for  many  weeks, 
on  the  newly-discovered  ground  of  his  "  modesty,''^  with 
proposed  thanks  to  the  citizens  of  Maine  for  revealing 
virtues  undeveloped  hitherto  in  Philadelphia. 

The  whole  of  this  year  was  marked  by  increased  ner- 
vous debility  and  consequent  depression  of  spirits,  which 
his  spring  and  summer  journeys  failed  to  remove.  The 
next  winter  he  made  an  arrangement  Avith  the  Rev.  G.  S. 
Boardman,  of  Northern  New  York,  who  wished  to  secure 
a  milder  climate  for  his  wife,  to  assist  him  in  the  church 
services.  By  thus  lightening  his  labors,  he  was  enabled 
to  carry  on  the  great  responsibilities  connected  with  his 
charge.  He  was  now  thirty-eight  years  old,  and  for  eleven 
years  had  worked  under  high-pressure,  without  intermis- 
sion. Many  young  preachers  break  down  at  this  stage 
of  labor,  and  are  tempted  to  seek  new  fields  of  occupation, 
where  the  studies  of  the  past  may  be  made  available  for 
the  future.  Men  of  the  world,  who  regard  the  work  of 
the  ministry  as  a  life  of  ease  and  indulgence,  should  know 
that  the  average  professional  life  of  a  clergyman,  at  the 
present  time,  is  but  fifteen  A'^ears.  The  unceasing  taxa- 
tion of  the  brain  and  nerves  wears  out  life  faster  than  any 
physical  labor. 

After  much  anxious  deliberation,  Mr.  Brainerd  decided 
upon  trying  the  experiment  of  work  in  the  open  air  to  re- 
store the  vigor  of  his  system.  He  rented  a  place  on 
Green  Hill,  near  Girard  College,  for  two  hundred  dollars 
a  year,  to  which  he  removed  in  May,  1843.  It  was  a 
beautiful  })lace,  containing  a  fine  house  built  by  a  wealthy 
merchant  for  his  own  residence,  a  few  years  before,  with 
half,  an  acre  of  ground  laid  out  in  garden  and  lawn,  and 
tliirteen  large  elm-trees  running  diagonallv  through  the  lot. 
It  seemed  a  paradise  to  Mr.  Brainerd's  three  little  children, 


EVENTS   OF  PASTORAL   LIFE.  187 

emancipated  from  the  strip  of  brick  pavement  whicli  con- 
stituted their  play-ground  in  Pine  Street.  For  a  house  of 
far  less  size  and  convenience,  in  the  south  part  of  the  city, 
he  had  paid  a  rent  of  five  hundred  dollars,  and  the  finan- 
cial gain  was  a  positive  one. 

The  new  residence  Avas  about  two  miles  from  the  church. 
There  were  neither  lights  nor  pavement  bej^ond  Ninth  and 
Vine  Streets ;  but  the  long  rides  home  in  dark  nights, 
through  mud  and  storm,  were  compensated  by  improved 
health.  Mr.  Brainerd  found  horseback  riding  the  best 
remedy  for  his  dyspeptic  and  nervous  complaints ;  and 
both  in  Cincinnati  and  Philadelphia,  u  horse  was  regarded 
as  a  necessary  member  of  his  family.  Accustomed  to 
horses  from  his  youth,  and  delighting  in  his  boyhood  to 
catch  colts  and  subdue  them  to  his  horsemanship,  he  could 
hardly  believe  that  life  was  possible  without  the  aid  of 
this  faithful  assistant.  ^ 

Mr.  Brainerd  attended  all  the  Sabbath  services  of  his 
church  at  this  time  as  well  as  the  VN'ednesday  and  Friday 
evening  meetings  ;  and  the  greater  part  of  each  day  was 
devoted  to  pastoral  calls,  visiting  the  sick,  and  attending 
funerals.  An  average  of  six  persons  were  on  the  sick  list 
in  his  large  congregation  at  all  times,  demanding  more  or 
less  attention.  The  very  sick,  appointed  to  death,  he 
visited  daily  ;  others,  two  and  three  times  a  week. 

He  would  work  in  his  garden  in  the  early  morning,  both 
before  and  after  breakfast,  and  about  ten  o'clock  a.m.  go 
down  to  the  city.  He  had  a  study  in  the  basement  of  the 
church,  where  messages  were  brought  to  him  with  the 
same  convenience  as  though  he  lived  in  the  vicinity.  He 
usually  returned  home  between  five  and  six  o'clock  p.m., 
often  taking  his  dinnef  with  some  family  of  his  congrega- 
tion. His  health  improved  under  this  process  of  working 
and  riding,  and  the  tranquilizing  influences  of  fresh  air, 
good  society,  and  pleasant  scenery  made  this  temporary 
residence  a  source  of  great  satisfaction. 


188        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,   D.D. 

Improvements  were  fast  progressing  in  this  section  of 
the  city.  Street  lamps  and  pavements  were  soon  supplied, 
and  the  population  extended  up  Broad  Street  beyond 
Girard  Avenue.  Mr.  Brainerd  felt  the  importance  of  the 
church  keeping  pace  with  the  growth  of  ihe  city,  west 
and  north  ;  and  as  there  was  no  Presb3^terian  church 
within  a  mile,  he  resolved  to  establish  one  in  this  neigh- 
borhood. 

By  communicating  his  purpose  to  several  of  the  property- 
holders  near  him,  he  obtained  the  donation  of  a  fine  lot  on 
Girard  Avenue,  for  the  church,  from  Charles  Macalester, 
Esq.,  valued  then  at  $3800  (now  worth  $15,000),  and  con- 
tributions from  other  gentlemen  in  the  neighborhood, 
amounting  to  $5000  more,  before  he  made  an\"  application 
to  his  friends,  or  the  churches  in  the  city.  With  so  favor- 
able a  beginning  the  young  church  was  soon  placed  be- 
yond the  chance  of  failure,  and  in  two -months  he  had  secured 
the  means  of  building  the  tasteful  Gothic  stone  edifice  on 
Girard  Avenue,  known  as  the  "  Green  Hill  Church." 

The  following  items  are  copied  from  the  Records  of  the 
Green  Hill  Church  : 

"In  the  spring  of  1843  Rev.  Dr.  Brainerd,  Pastor  of 
Pine  Street  Church,  was  induced,  for  the  sake  of  his 
health,  to  move  into  a  house  on  the  northwest  corner  of 
Poplar  and  Sixteenth  Streets.  Dr.  Brainerd  saw  the 
necessity  of  forming  a  Presbyterian  church  in  that  part  of 
the  city;  and  the  Sabbath-school  established  in  the  'Old 
Frame'  serving  as  the  basis  of  operation,  he  applied  him- 
self to  the  work  of  organizing  and  building  up  such  a 
church.  A  meeting  was  held  December  27th,  1846,  to 
constitute  a  new  church,  under  the  title  of  the  Green  Hill 
Presbyterian  Church,  Dr.  Brainerd  presiding.  Dr.  Brai- 
nerd saw  the  probability  of  the  neighborhood  soon  becom- 
ing a  populous  part  of  the  city,  and,  though  the  task  was 


EVENTS   OF  PASTORAL   LIFE.  189 

bv  no  means  an  easy  one,  applied  all  his  energies  to  the 
work  of  building  a  church  edifice.  Through  his  represen- 
tations, Charles  Macalester,  Esq.,  offered  to  donate  to  the 
church  a  valuable  lot  of  ground,  on  what  is  now  Girard 
Avenue,  for  this  purpose,  provided  a  building  worth  at 
least  $6000  should  be  erected  upon  it.  Upon  Dr.  Brainerd 
chiefly  rested  the  labor  of  raising  this  money.  The  society, 
though  now  organized  into  a  church,  was  feeble  and  with- 
out means,  so  that  he  was  obliged  to  depend  almost  en- 
tirely upon  friends  in  other  parts  of  the  city.  After  braving 
repeated  discouragements,  when  the  enterprise  seemed 
almost  hopeless,  the  energies  of  Dr.  Brainerd  increased. 
He  invited  a  number  of  the  city  pastors  to  his  house 
to  tea;  gathering  them  together  undet*  the  old  elms  that 
grew  by  his  dwelling,  he  pointed  out  the  advantages  of 
such  an  edifice,  and  urged  their  instant  and  active  co- 
operation. Catching  his  spirit,  they  there  agreed  to  appeal 
to  their  people  in  behalf  of  the  church  and  endeavor  to 
raise  the  $8000  necessary  to  secure  the  ground.  The 
enterprise  was  successful,  and  a  beautiful  and  commodious 
building,  costing  over  $10,000,  was  commenced  Nov.  15th, 
1847,  and  completed  the  following  year:  $1500  were  con- 
tributed by  Dr.  Brainei'd's  own  congregation,  in  Pine 
Street  Church. 

"  After  the  walls  were  raised,  and  while  the  lumber  was 
all  prepared  upon  the  ground  for  the  interior  work,  Dr. 
Brainerd,  who  lived  one  square  from  the  place,  was  awak- 
ened at  midnight  by  a  glare  of  light.  Springing  to  his 
feet,  he  saw  that  it  came  from  the  church  lot.  In  an  in- 
stant he  thought  all  was  over.  The  church  which  had 
been  the  object  of  his  desire,  hope,  and  prayer  for  years, 
he  thought  was  about  to  be  destroyed.  Raising  his  win- 
dow, he  gave  the  alarm.  In  a  few  moments  the  entire 
neighborhood  was  on  the  spot,  and  the  flames,  which  had 
not  extended  beyond  some  loose  lumber,  were  soon  extin- 

17 


190        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

guished.     Had  there  been  a  little  delay,  the  whole  would 
have  been  destroyed."* 

The  foundations  of  Girard  College  were  laid  in  J  836, 
and  seven  years  of  labor  had  been  expended  upon  the  noble 
structure,  which  was  now  about  two  thirds  completed. 
The  daily  walk  to  the  building,  talking  to  the  architect  and 
the  w^orkmen,  observing  "  what  manner  of  stones"  were 
wrought  into  this  Temple  without  a  Shekinah,  made  the 
college  a  source  of  perpetual  interest  to  Mr.  Brainerd.  He 
mused  over  its  origin,  its  history,  its  progress,  and  its 
destiny.  Familiar  with  the  clause  in  Girard's  will  which 
excluded  foreve*;  from  the  college  walls  clergymen  of  every 
denomination,  he  avus  led  to  bestow  some  thought  upon 
the  principles  on  w4)ich  the  will  was  founded.  During  the 
period  of  its  erection,  when  he  could  gain  admittance,  h's 
visitors  were  taken  there,  as  to  one  of  the  great  exhil>i- 
tions  of  the  neighboi'hood.  He  visited  the  college  one 
afternoon  with  a  young  clergyman  about  to  leave  his  coun- 
try as  a  foreign  missionary,  and  while  they  stood  together 
on  the  marble-slabbed  roof  of  the  noble  building,  the  young 
man,  turning  to  Mr.  Brainerd,  said  :  "  Stephen  Girard  put 
his  life  into  marble  ;  I  will  put  mine  into  the  hearts  and 
lives  of  ni}'  fellow-men  " 

Mr.  Brainerd  had  gained  the  confidence  of  the  hundred 
mechanics  employed  on  the  college;  and  just  before  its  com- 
pletion arrangements  were  made  to  invite  him  to  make  an 
address  to  them  on  temperance,  or  any  other  subject  he 
might  choose,  at  the  noon  hour  of  recess  They  said  they 
could  eat  their  dinner  in  fifteen  minutes,  and  leave  forty- 
five  minutes  for  his  address. 

*  "When  Dr.  Brainerd  saw  the  light,  he  threw  up  his  window  and  cried 
fire  so  lustily  that  be  awakened  the  people  all  the  way  down  to  Broad 
Street.  Mr.  Arrison,  who  lived  opposite  the  doctor's  house,  facetiously 
remarked  that  if  ever  his  proper!}'  touk  fire  he  hoped  to  have  Dr.  Braiuerd 
near  to  sound  the  alarm." 


ANECDOTES.  191 

Mr.  Brainerd  felt  that  it  would  be  a  i^Tcat  triumph  for 
an  accredited  clergyman  to  deliver  the  fir^t  moral  lecture 
within  the  walls  of  Girard  College;  while  a  hundred  intel- 
ligent mechanics  constituted  an  audience  before  which  he 
was  proud  to  speak.  But  the  favorite  scheme  was  not 
carried  out ;  being  deferred  to  the  closing  week  of  their 
labor,  when  the  building  would  be  in  the  highest  state  of 
completion,  a  meeting  of  Presbytery  or  Synod  called  Mr. 
Brainerd  from  home ;  and  when  he  returned,  the  college  was 
delivered  over  to  its  appointed  controllers,  the  City  Coun- 
cils, who  were  bound  to  carry  out,  to  the  letter,  the  terms 
of  Girard's  will.  • 

Mr.  Brainerd  was  never  disposed  to  enter  the  building 
again,  after  being  formally  excluded  ;  but  as  he  considered 
the  claims  of  the  will  to  the  support  of  a  Christian  commu- 
nity, he  was  not  satisfied  with  the  disfranchisement  of  a 
class  of  citizens  entitled  to,  and  receiving,  the  most  un- 
doubted public  confidence.  He  published  a  short  article  in 
the  North  American  and  U.  S.  Gazette,  giving  his  views 
on  this  subject ;  and  afterward  learned  that  both  Rufus 
Choate  and  Daniel  Webster  had  said,  on  a  careful  examina- 
tion of  the  case,  that  the  question  could  be  fairly  contested 
on  this  ground.  The  Christian  laymen  who  compose  the 
Faculty  of  Girard  College  have  done  everything  possible 
to  secure  to  the  institution  the  influence  of  Christian  prin- 
ciples, by  teaching  their  pupils  to  honor  religion,  so  far  as 
this  can  be  done,  while  the  appointed  teachers  of  Chris- 
tianity are  thus  publicly  dishonored. 

Exclusion  of  Clergymen  from  Girard  College. 

"  A  doubt  has  arisen  in  many  minds  as  to  the  propriety 
of  discriminating  among  citizens  in  carrying  out  the  will  of 
Girard.  While  all  have  the  highest  esteem  for  the  intelli- 
gent, gentlemanly,  and  benevolent  directors,  and  an  entire 
approbation  of  the  manner  in  which  they  are  administering 


192        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

the  concerns  of  the  institution,  many  still  doubt  their  right 
to  catechise  visitors  as  to  their  occupation,  and  bar  out 
men  of  a  lawful  profession.  No  doubt  Stephen  Girard  had 
a  right  to  do  what  be  would  with  his  own,  but  it  is  ques- 
tioned whether  the  City  Council  have  a  right  to  admin- 
ister a  trust  in  a  mode  which  places  a  bar  on  a  certain  legal 
occupation.  In  any  instrument  a  condition  against  mo- 
rality or  against  the  public  weal  is  void  or  voidable.  It  is 
against  the  public  weal,  according  to  many  decisions,  to 
render  odious  a  lawful  business — to  make  men  suffer 
penalty  for  following  a  profession  protected  by  laws. 
Lord  B3-ron  ga*'e  a  legacy  to  his  daughter  on  condition 
that  she  should  not  marry  an  Englishman.  It  was  void. 
Suppose  the  condition  had  been  that  she  should  not  marry 
a  lawyer  or  physician,  the  same  effect  would  follow. 

"  The  City  Council  represent  the  entire  body  of  their 
constituents.  If  the}^  so  mismanage  the  Girard  Estate  as 
to  throw  the  support  of  the  college  on  taxation,  the  prop- 
erty of  clergymen  is  made  liable  to  aid  in  footing  the  bill. 

"  Has  the  Council  a  right,  while  representing  the  votes 
and  the  property  of  all  classes,  to  exclude  shoemakers  and 
blacksmiths  from  Fairmount  and  Independence  Square? 
Because  no  one  has  a  legal  right  to  go  up  the  steeple  of  the 
State  House  without  a  ticket  from  the  authorities,  have  the 
fathers  of  the  city  a  right  capriciously  to  admit  lawyers  and 
exclude  merchants  ? — to  say  that  any  man  worth  ten  thou- 
sand dollars  may  ascend,  but  the  poor  must  remain  below  ? 

"If  visiting  as  spectators  is  a  privilege — a  courtesy — 
still  are  not  the  city  fathers  bound  to  regulate  this  courtesy 
by  some  general  principles  which  shall  not  disfranchise 
men  for  following  a  legal  employment,  or  because  they 
happen  to  be  pour  ? 

"  If  the  city  fathers  have  not  this  right  in  respect  to 
Fairmount  or  Independence  Square,  how  do  they  acquire 
it  in  respect  to  the  grounds  of  Girard  College  ?     From  the 


ANECDOTES.  193 

will  of  Girard  ?  But  no  xcill  of  any  man  can  g-ive  a  right 
to  do  wrong — can  authorize  the  rulers  of  a  city,  in  a  land  of 
libert}^,  to  discriminate  between  common  citizens — and  to 
bar  from  common  privileges  men  by  whose  suffrages  they 
hold  their  authority  !  The  sum  of  the  argument  is  this: 
the  condition  of  the  will  of  Girard  which  excludes  a  lawful 
profession  from  privileges  common  to  all  others,  is  opposed 
to  the  national  equality  recognized  by  law  in  this  land,  and 
therefore  cannot  be  carried  legally  into  efl'ect  by  a  City 
Council  forbidden  to  degrade  or  disfranchise  any  class  of 
their  constituents.  I  know  the  city  fathers  well  enough  to 
be  assured  that  they  would  rejoice  to  be  released  from  the 
petty  office  of  asking  every  man  with  a  black  coat  and  white 
cravat  if  he  is  not  a  preacher.  "  Burnet.'' 

Those  who  remember  Mr.  Brainerd  can  recall  some 
"story"  concerning  him,  characteristic  either  of  his  prin- 
ciples or  his  modes.  His  great  fondness  for  talking  with 
plain,  laboring  men,  and  drawing  out  their  unsophisticated 
views  of  life,  from  their  personal  experience,  furnished  a 
perpetual  source  of  amusement  and  interest  to  him.  He 
never  cherished  a  particle  of  that  weak  and  offensive  self- 
love  which  tempts  a  man  to  value  himself  above  his  fellows. 
Hence  plain  and  poor  men  came  to  him  \vith  freedom  and 
trusted  him  with  confidence.  They  were  never  made  to 
feel  uncomfortable  in  his  presence.  He  belonged  to  the 
"  Abou-Ben-Adhem"  tribe  ;  and  had  he  dictated  his  own 
eulogy,  I  think  it  would  have  been, — 

"Write  me  as  one  who  loves  his  fe!lo\v-men." 

When  Mr.  Brainerd  was  called  to  attend  the  funerals 
of  obscure  people,  living  in  some  court  or  alley,  he  was  ac- 
customed to  call  on  some  of  his  Avealthy  members  in  the 
neighborhood,  and  request  them  to  attend  this  funeral. 
He  would  tell  them  it  was  doing  a  benevolent  work  at  a 

17* 


194        LIFE   OF  REV.  THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

very  small  sacrifice,  to  stop  in  for  a  half  hour  and  cheer 
these  humble  dwellings  with  their  sympathy.  These 
wealthy  neighbors  often  thanked  him  for  the  suggestion  ; 
as  they  were  ignorant  of  the  sorrow  so  near  their  door 
until  informed  of  it  by  their  pastor.  And  in  many  cases 
the  occasion  which  appealed  to  their  tenderest  emotions 
resulted  in  material  "aid  and  comfort"  on  one  side,  and 
lasting  gratitude  and  friendship  on  the  other. 

When  one  of  the  new  streets  on  Green  Hill  was  graded 
to  the  city  level,  an  excavation  of  ten  or  twelve  feet  was 
made  back  of  Mr.  Brainerd's  residence.  He  often  looked 
out  from  his  back  gate  a  few  minutes  after  breakfast  or 
dinner  to  mark  the  progress  of  the  work.  After  undermin- 
ing the  bank,  the  men  inserted  crowbars  at  regular  inter- 
vals above,  and  by  working  the  lever  simultaneously,  huge 
masses  of  many  tons  were  thrown  off  at  once.  One  time, 
when  the  men  had  tugged  longer  than  usual  at  the  great 
tenacious  mass  of  earth,  the}"  halted  awhile  to  breathe  and 
wipe  the  sweat  from  their  faces.  As  Mr.  Brainerd  stood 
in  the  range  of  the  file  of  crowbars  he  fancied  the  earth 
was  about  yielding  to  the  force  applied  above.  In  the 
momentary  suspension  of  work  he  took  hold  of  one  of  the 
center  crowbars  and  gave  it  a  strong  thrust  into  the  earth, 
when,  as  much  to  his  OAvn  surprise  as  that  of  the  workmen, 
the  whole  mass  tumbled  off  with  a  mighty  crash  into  the 
area  below.  "  There,"  exclaimed  one  of  the  Irishmen, 
"see  what  holy  hands  will  do P^ 

At  another  time,  stopping  at  a  blacksmith's  to  have  a 
shoe  of  his  horse  fastened,  he  found  the  owner  of  the  shop 
gone  to  his  dinner,  and  another  man  in  his  place,  idly  blow- 
ing the  bellows.  "  What !"  said  Mr.  Brainerd  to  him, 
"blowing  and  not  striking!"  Just  then  the  blacksmith 
came  in.  "  Mr.  K.,  I  found  a  man  here  blowing  and 
not  striking,"  continued  Mr.  Brainerd.  "  What  does  that 
mean  ?"     A  twinkle  of  fun  shone  in  the  eyes  of  the  witty 


ANECDOTES.  195 

blacksmith  as  he  replied,  "Don't  your  reverence  do  a 
little  of  that  yourself  sometimes  ?" 

Mr.  Brainerd  relished  a  joke  none  the  less  for  being-  him- 
self the  subject  of  it.  He  seemed  often  to  enjoy  it  the  more 
for  this  very  reason.  He  liked  the  manliness  and  inde- 
pendence which  could  express  an  honest  judgment  in  any 
presence  on  proper  occasions. 

A  fine  little  boy,  about  five  years  old,  who  lived  oppo- 
site the  church,  frequently  came  over  and  looked  timidly 
in  at  the  study  door.  Mr.  Brainerd  often  invited  him  in, 
and  gave  him  leave  to  stay  and  look  at  his  books,  if  he 
would  not  make  much  noise.  In  those  days  Mr.  Brainerd 
used  a  large,  old-fashioned  sand-box — writing  very  rapidly 
and  sanding  the  page  before  turning  it  over.  The  little 
boy  quietly  watched  this  operation  for  some  time,  and 
during  a  short  suspension  of  the  writing  inquired  earn- 
estly, "When  will  you  put  on  the  pepper  again  ?"  The 
question  suggested  an  "  ivijjrovemeni"  to  Mr.  Brainerd ; 
for  he  said  he  thought  a  great  many  sermons  needed  more 
" pepper^ ^ — that  they  lacked  both  pungency  and  flavor. 

One  cold  winter  day  Mr.  Brainerd  was  riding  on  horse- 
back, wearing  a  seal- skin  cap,  neck-muffler,  and  gloves — 
the  two  latter  the  gift  of  a  friend.  Passing  a  group  of 
boys  thus  muffled,  one  of  them  said  to  another,  "  That  is 
Dr.  Brainerd  !"  "  He  looks  like  a  managerie,^^  replied  his 
companion  ;  apparently  supposing  that  so  much  fur  en- 
titled the  wearer  to  the  reputation  of  a  whole  caravan  of 
wild  beasts. 

A  profligate  man  in  the  neighborhood  was  in  the  habit 
of  visiting  daily  a  handsome  woman,  whose  husband  had 
gone  to  California,  and  her  friends  requested  Mr.  Brainerd 
to  caution  her  against  his  visits.  As  she  occasionally 
called  at  his  house,  Mr.  Brrfinei'd  spoke  to  her  on  the  sub- 
ject with  great  kindness,  but  advised  her  to  decline  this 
man's  visits  in  future.     A  few  days  after,  while  sitting  at 


196        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

the  tea-table  the  door-bell  was  rung,  and  the  girl  who  an- 
swered it  was  requested  to  ask  Mr.  Brainerd  to  step  to  the 
door.  He  obeyed  the  summons,  and  was  met  by  this  neigh- 
bor with  a  volley  of  abuse.  Every  epithet  was  heaped 
upon  him  that  an  enraged,  intoxicated  man  could  call 
up.  Mr.  Brainerd  listened  with  perfect  quietness  until  his 
visitor  concluded  by  saying,  "  Thafs  what  I  have  to  nay 
to  you!^'  "  Is  that  all  you  have  to  say  to  me,  Mr.  H.  ?" 
replied  Mr.  Brainerd.  This  set  him  off  again,  and  he 
edged  up  toward  Mr.  Brainerd  as  though  he  would  strike 
him.  "  You  don't  suppose  I  am  afraid  of  you  ?"  Mr.  Brai- 
nerd added.  "  You  think  God  will  protect  you,"  replied 
the  other,  with  a  sneer.  "  Yes,"  said  Mr.  Brainerd,  "but 
I  shall  be  the  instrument,  in  this  easel" 

Mr.  H.  turned  immediately  and  went  down  the  steps, 
still  muttering  imprecations  to  himself.  Every  word  of 
this  interview  was  heard  by  the  family  at  the  tea-table,  and 
they  were  greatly  relieved  when  Mr.  Brainerd  returned, 
laughing,  to  finish  his  supper.  As  he  related  the  story  to 
several  friends  afterward,  it  found  its  way  into  Uarper\^ 
Magazine,  with  some  trifling  embellishments.  The  narra- 
tor added,  "  The  visitor  left  hastily,  not  liking  the  looks 
of  the  Lord's  instrument." 


CHAPTER    X. 

FAMILY  CHANGES — VISIT  TO  EUROPE — SHIPWRECK. 

IN  the  winter  of  1844,  Mr.  Brainerd's  fourth  and  last 
child  was  born,  making  a  family  of  two  sons  and  two 
daughters.  His  duties  called  him  from  home  the  greater 
part  of  the  day,  but  he  treasured  up  for  his  children  many 
little  occurrences  of  interest,  to  relate  on  his  return  at  even- 
ing. If  he  did  not  invite  them  to  the  recital,  he  was  sure  to 
hear  the  request,  "Papa,  tell  us  your  'life  and  history^ 
to-day !"  This  had  become  a  standing  title  for  these  re- 
hearsals. 

He  M'as  a  great  governor  in  his  own  family,  but  with 
very  little  severity.  His  children  never  entertained  the 
thought  of  disobedience  as  possible.  Accustomed  from 
their  earliest  childhood  to  implicit,  prompt  obedience,  he 
found  no  difficulty  in  keeping  them  to  the  track  of  whole- 
some restraint.  He  believed  this  to  be  the  way  to  save 
children  from  severity  and  suffering,  as  well  as  from  the 
paths  of  error.  He  was  averse  to  crowding  young  chil- 
dren, early,  with  study  ;  but  labored  earnestly  to  give 
them  a  taste  for  study,  and  a  desire  for  knowledge.  When 
this  was  gained,  he  considered  the  end  accomplished. 

He  took  his  oldest  son  with  him,  whenever  it  was  prac- 
ticable, on  excursions  of  business,  and  carried  him  to  ex- 
hibitions of  art  and  of  natural  science,  and  through  all 
the  great  mechanical  institutions  in  which  Philadelphia 
abounds.  A  familiarity  with  the  productive,  industrial 
operations  of  the  country  he  considered  a  branch  of  educa- 

(197) 


198        LIFE   OF  REV.  THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

tion  inferior  in  no  respect,  to  any  other ;  tending  directly 
to  enlarge  the  mind  and  elevate  the  character,  by  cultiva- 
ting a  sympathy  with  the  multiplied  agencies  employed  in 
this  wonderful  department.  lie  bought  carpenter's  tools 
for  his  son,  and  let  him  have  a  room  for  his  workshop,  in 
which  his  juvenile  efforts  were  perfected  and  commended. 

A  plot  of  ground  was  marked  off  for  his  boy's  vegetable 
garden ;  and  the  radishes,  lettuce,  and  peas  raised  on  it 
were  bought  by  his  parents,  at  the  highest  market  price. 

A  State  Convention  to  promote  the  better  observance 
of  the  Sal)bath  was  held  at  Harrisburg,  Pa.,  in  May,  1844  ; 
and  Mr.  Brainerd  was  chairman  of  the  committee  to  pre- 
pare an  address  on  the  subject.  The  address,  which  he 
read  to'  the  Convention  at  the  morning  session  of  May 
31st,  filled  nine  pages  of  the  printed  report,  and  occupied 
three-quarters  of  an  hour  in  reading.  He  received  a  note 
of  thanks  from  John  A.  Brown,  Esq.,  for  his  timely  and 
telling  appeal  in  behalf  of  the  imperiled  Sabbath.  Mr. 
Brown  says: 

"  I  take  this  opportunity  of  expressing  the  gratification 
your  able  and  eloquent  address  afforded  those  who  heard 
it,  and  the  general  satisfaction  and  pleasure  with  which  it 
has  been  perused  since  its  publication,  by  many  who  love 
the  Sabbath.  It  is  eminently  calculated  to  do  good  and  to 
excite  an  interest  in  this  important  subject. 
"I  remain  with  much  esteem, 
"Yours  truly, 

"John  A.  Brown." 

The  church  at  Utica,  in  1845,  was  again  vacant.  The 
following  letter  was  received  from  one  of  his  old  friends: 

"Utica,  February  24lh,  1845. 

"  My  dear  Friend  Brainerd  : 

"  You  will  no  doubt  be  somewhat  surprised  by  the  mis- 
sion of  Rev.  Mr.  Spencer  to  you,  with  a  call  from  the  First 


CORRESrONDEXCE.  199 

Church  in  this  city.  Mr.  Spencer  will  make  you  acquainted 
wiih  all  the  proceedings  in  the  matter,  so  I  will  only  say 
they  were  characterized  by  g-reat  harmony  and  good  feel- 
ing, and  an  earnest,  strong  desire  that  you  might  accept. 

"  As  I  am  connected  with  this  church,  I  need  not  say  my 
own  wishes  are  very  strong  that  you  may  find  it  consistent 
to  do  so.  The  field  for  usefulness  here  is  very  large.  A 
leading  man  is  wanted  in  this  Presbytery,  and  the  First 
Church  of  Utica  should  have  such  a  man. 

"I  am  fully  aware  of  your  pleasant  location  in  Philadel- 
phia, but  there  are  other  considerations.  Your  labors 
w^ould  be  much  lightened  here,  and  this  in  the  end  might 
add  much  to  the  aggregate  of  your  usefulness. 

"  The  people  here  feel  disposed  to  give  a  pastor  a  liberal 
support,  and  I  know  you  well  enough  to  be  satisfied  that 
this  question  will  not  present  any  obstacle  to  your  coming. 
"  Your  sincere  friend, 

"  C.  P.  Wetmore." 

Rev.  T.  Spencer  visited  Mr.  Braincrd  in  March,  and 
after  urging  the  claims  of  the  church  by  varied  arguments, 
left  the  call  with  him  for  consideration,  refusing  to  accept 
an  immediate  decision.  The  state  of  his  health  led  his 
friends  to  indulge  strong  hopes  of  success,  from  the  mo- 
tives presented  of  the  physical  benefit  to  be  derived  from 
a  local  change  at  this  time.  Meanwhile  a  second  letter 
from  his  friend,  Mr.  Wetmore,  was  received,  as  follows: 

"Utica,  March  17th,  1845. 

"  Dear  Brother  Brainerd  : 

"I  lose  not  a  moment  in  replying  to  your  letter,  if  per- 
chance I  may  say  a  word  that  may  influence  your  decision 
in  favor  of  coming  here.  It  is  not  mere  personal  motive 
that  governs  me  in  earnestly  wishing  you  might  accept  the 
call  to  this  city.  I  feel  that  this  church  does  need,  in  their 
present  state,  such  a  pastor  as  I  believe  you  would  make 


200        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

them.  I  believe  you  could  fill  this  place  better  than  any 
other  man.  The  union  of  members,  the  prominent  posi- 
tion of  the  pastor  of  this  church  in  Presbytery  and  Synod, 
the  influence  to  flow  from  it,  makes  it  necessary  to  have 
a  man  of  the  right  stamp. 

"I  have  no  doubt  Mr.  Spencer  made  all  this  more  plain 
to  you  than  I  can ;  but  still,  could  it  be  impressed  upon 
your  mind  fully  the  true  state  of  things  here,  I  feel  it 
would  influence  your  decision.  Would  not  the  prospect 
of  permanent  restoration  of  health  and  firmness  of  nerve, 
which  I  have  no  doubt  you  would  obtain  in  this  region, 
increase  your  future  usefulness  and  perhaps  prolong  your 
life  ? 

"  This  is  an  intellectual  church  ;  they  expect  able  preach- 
ing, and  they  intend  to  have  it.  You  could  fulfill  all  these 
expectations  and  yet  avail  yourself  to  a  great  extent  of 
past  labor,  which  Avould  greatly  relieve  you. 

"  There  is  a  general  disappointment  at  the  discouraging 
prospect  of  your  coming,  and  I  fully  believe  so  unanimous 
a  call  could  be  had  for  but  few  men  in  the  Union. 

"At  a  meeting  of  our  society  last  night  your  letter  was 

read,  and,  in  allusion  to  your  statement  that  you  were 

sometimes  obliged  to  sit  and  preach,  it  was  said  :  '  We 

are  willing  to  stand  with  him,  sit  with  him,  fall  with  him.' 

"  Hoping  for  the  best,  your  sincere  friend, 

"  C.  P.  Wetmore." 

From  Eev.  T.  Spencer. 

"  Utica,  April  21st,  1845. 

"  Dear  Brother  Brainerd  : 

"  We  have  just  received  your  letter  declining  the  call 
from  the  church  in  this  city.  It  has  been  communicated 
to  a  few  of  the  brethren,  who  have  learned  your  final  de- 
termination with  deep  regret.  They  had  hoped,  from  your 
protracted  silence,  that  your  mind  was  verging  toward  a 


CORRESPONDENCE.  201 

contrary  conclusion.  While  they  still  think  they  were 
right  in  urging  your  acceptance,  and  feel  grieved  at  your 
conclusion,  they  are  convinced  thatj'ou  have  honestly,  and 
in  the  fear  of  God,  examined  the  subject  and  reached  that 
conclusion. 

"  You  expressed  your  readiness  to  render  the  society 
Avhat  aid  you  could  toward  securing  a  proper  pastor.  The 
particular  object  of  my  letter  is,  at  the  request  of  the 
brethren,  to  inquire  whether  you  or  Brother  Barnes  know 
of  any  one  whom  you  would  be  willing  to  recommend,  and 
who  might  be  induced  to  accept  an  invitation.  If  a  good 
name  could  be  presented,  it  might  save  the  congregation 
from  many  difficulties.  This  is  an  important  church,  and 
nothing  must  be  left  undone  to  sustain  it. 

"  Your  sincere  friend, 

"  T.  Spencer." 

Except  to  communicate  this  call  to  the  members  of  his 
session,  and  give  it,  as  it  deserved,  a  thoughtful  considera- 
tion, Mr.  Brainerd  never  alluded  to  it;  nor  to  the  other 
calls  which  he  received  ;  and  probabl}^  not  six  people  of  his 
church  ever  knew  of  the  repeated  efforts  that  were  made 
to  draw  him  away  from  his  charge  in  Philadelphia. 

In  later  years,  he  has  said  he  would  "  never  leave  Pine 
Street  Church  until  he  was  carried  out  feet  first,  unless 
they  quarreled  with  him."  A  resolution  most  literally 
fulfilled. 

In  December  of  this  year  the  following  official  notice 
was  received  from  Andover  : 

"December  3d,  184.5. 

"  Rev.  Thomas  Brainerd. 
"Dear  Sir  : 

"  As  secretary  pro  tern,  in  the  place  of  Prof.  B.  B.  Ed- 
wards, who  has  left  for  Florida,  I  would  inform  you  of 
your  apitoiiitiiH'iit  as  first  preacher  to  the  Association  of 

18 


202        LIFE   OF  REV.  THOMAS  BR  AT  NERD,  D.D. 

the  Alumni  of  the  Theological  Seminary  at  its  next  anni- 
versary; and  William  Adams,  D.  D.,  of  New  York,  second 
preacher.  If  anything  should  arise  to  prevent  you  from 
fulfilling  this  appointment,  you  will  please  to  give  season- 
able notice  to  Dr.  Adams,  as  your  second,  and  to  myself 
as  Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  Arrangements. 
"  Your  brother  in  the  gospel, 

"Saml.  C.  Jackson." 

Mr.  Brainerd's  habitual  aversion  to  meet  the  excite- 
ments of  these  anniversary  occasions,  led  him  in  this  case, 
as  in  many  others,  to  decline  fulfdling  the  appointment  ; 
and  he  gladly  transferred  the  responsibility  to  Dr.  Adams. 

Nearly  three  years  had  passed  since  Mr.  Brainerd's  re- 
moval to  Green  Hill.  Ills  health  improved,  his  church 
prospered  and  was  in  peace,  each  spring  was  marked  by 
large  accessions,  and,  so  far  as  temporal  and  external  pros- 
perity was  concerned,  he  had  nothing  to  ask. 

One  of  his  Andover  classmates  visited  him  at  this  time, 
whose  history  had  been  a  series  of  changes  and  trials. 
They  were  enjoying  the  summer  evening,  sitting  on  a  gar- 
den-lounge under  the  large  elms,  recounting  the  vicissi- 
tudes of  the  past  fourteen  years  since  they  parted  at  Andover, 
when  his  friend  said,  abruptly,  "  What  have  you  ever  done 
that  you  should  be  settled  in  such  a  luxurious  city  as  this, 
and  live  in  such  a  place  ?" 

"  This  is  not  a  state  of  rewards  and  punishments,"  re- 
plied Mr.  Brainerd  ;  "  but  if  you  will  take  my  dyspepsia 
and  poor  nerves,  I  will  gladly  give  up  the  house  to  you." 

But  "/n  the  garden  there  was  a  sejmlcher,'^  as  there  is 
in  most  gardens.  In  a  time  of  great  prosperity  a  bolt  fell 
from  a  clear  sky,  and  almost  without  warning  the  oldest 
daughter,  a  sweet  little  girl  of  seven  years,  was  taken 
away  by  scarlet  fever.  It  was  the  first  invasion  of  the 
little  group  by  death,  though  not  the  last.     The  season  of 


VISTT  TO   EUROPE.  203 

scarlet  fever  had  apparently  i)assed  by,  and  Mr.  Brainerd's 
little  daughter  was  the  oidy  victim  on  Green  Hill.  The 
other  three  children  escaped  at  this  time.  She  died  on 
the  1*7 th  of  January,  184G,  and  was  buried  at  the  church 
in  Pine  Street. 

Mr.  Brainerd  loved  his  children  intensely,  and  this 
little  girl  was  a  great  comfort  and  treasure  to  him. 

As  the  spring  advanced  he  began  to  listen  favorabl}''  to 
the  proposition  of  attending  the  Evangelical  Alliance, 
Avhich  was  to  meet  in  London  on  the  17th  of  August,  18-40. 
He  was  appointed  by  the  Fourth  Presbytery  a  commis- 
sioner to  the  "  Christian  Alliance,"  in  connection  with 
Rev.  Albert  Barnes,  Rev.  Joel  Parker,  D.D.,  and  Rev. 
Anson  Rood.  As  none  of  these  gentlemen  would  attend 
the  Convention,  more  solicitation  was  employed  to  induce 
Ml'.  Brainerd  to  accept  the  appointment. 

The  Pennsylvania  State  Teaiperance  Society  elected 
him  at  the  same  time  a  delegate  to  "  The  World's  Tem- 
perance Convention,"  to  meet  in  London  on  the  4th  of 
August. 

The  motives  presented  b}'  his  brethren  in  the  ministry, 
the  hope  of  more  positive  benefit  to  his  health,  and  the 
depression  occasioned  by  the  death  of  his  child,  which 
coveted  change  for  relief,  induced  him  to  accept  these  ap- 
pointments, and  make  the  necessary  preparations  for  going 
to  Europe. 

A  paid  passage-ticket  out  for  eighty  dollars  was  pre- 
sented to  him  ;  but  excepting  this  he  went  wholly  at  his 
own  charges.  The  custom  had  not  then  become  as  gen- 
eral as  now,  of  presenting  a  clergyman  with  two  thousand 
dollars  to  defray  the  expense  of  a  trip  to  Europe.  As  Mr, 
Brainerd's  salary  of  two  thousand  dollars  demanded  close 
economy  to  meet  his  wants  at  home,  the  exercise  of  this 
virtue  was  not  suspended  by  a  half-year's  travel  in  Europe. 
The  church  agreed  to  supply  the  pulpit  during  his  absence, 


204        T^TFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRATNERD,  D  D. 

and  he  sailed  on  the  25th  of  May,  in  the  packet-ship  Wy- 
oming', accompanied  by  one  of  his  Elders,  John  C.  Furr, 
Esq. 

He  encountered  the  usual  variety  of  weather,  of  incident, 
and  of  interest,  which  always  marks  a  first  voyage  to  a 
landsman.  He  found  his  chief  amusement  here,  as  else- 
where, in  talking  with  the  sailors  and  the  steerage  pas- 
sengers. In  a  letter  home,  he  says :  "  In  the  steerage  are 
about  sixty  adults  and  twenty  children.  Here  is  the  suc- 
cessful emigrant  going  back  for  aged  parents, — the  happy 
young  mother  going  over  to  exhibit  her  little  ones  to  their 
grandparents  in  her  native  land, — the  heart-broken,  home- 
sick, disappointed  emigrant  going  back  from  America  to 
endure  the  yoke  of  his  task-master  in  '  Ould  Ireland,'  be- 
cause it  is  his  native  land.  We  have  the  dying  consump- 
tives here,  being  borne  back  to  lay  their  bones  with  their 
kindred.  What  joys  and  sorrows  are  hidden  under  these 
plain  garments.  I  have  conversed  with  not  a  few,  and 
find  that  all  can  understand  and  appreciate  the  language 
of  kindness. 

"  Our  sailors,  thirty-five  in  number,  are  stout,  active 
young  men,  proud  of  their  noble  ship,  and  regular  at  their 
appointed  task.  Separated  from  their  shore  temptations, 
and  compelled  as  thcj^  are  on  the  Wyoming  to  be  temper- 
ate, they  are  a  well-informed  and  rational  class  of  men. 
They  have  traveled  over  the  world,  seen  much  and  suf- 
fered much  and  thought  much.  Many  of  their  observations 
are  marked  not  alone  by  good  sense,  but  by  great  shrewd- 
ness. 

"  I  have  conversed  with  nearly  all  personally.  They 
all  treat  me  with  great  kindness,  and  give  their  assent  to 
good  counsel.  One  said,  '  It  is  hard  to  teach  an  old  dog 
like  me  new  tricks.'  Another  said  'He  often  made  good 
resolutions,  but  as  often  broke  them.' 

"  Death  has  found  its  way  to  our  little  company.     A 


VISIT  TO   EUROPE.  205 

child,  fourteen  years  old,  died  when  we  were  in  mid- 
ocean. 

"I  have  conducted  religious  services  each  Sabbath. 
The  attendance  was  good,  and  all  were  sober  and  reflec- 
tive. Our  prayers,  counsels,  and  songs  on  the  broad  sea, 
mingled  with  the  voice  of  many  waters,  have,  we  hope, 
been  accepted  by  God.  Our  music-leader  was  a  deck 
passenger  returning  to  Europe.  '  Where,'  said  T,  '  have 
you  attended  church  V  '  Mostly  in  yours,'  he  replied,  '  in 
Pine  Street.'  Five  from  Pine  Street  congregation  have 
thus  met  on  this  vessel." 

After  several  days  of  calm,  the  wind  rose,  and  one  night 
^Ir.  Brainerd  thought  it  blew  very  hard.  In  the  morn- 
ing he  said  to  an  old  sailor,  "  When  did  the  blow  com- 
mence?" "There  hain't  been  no  blow,"  replied  he,  "only 
a  smart  breeze!" 

They  reached  Liverpool  on  Monday,  June  22d,  just  four 
weeks  from  the  day  they  left  Philadelphia.  Mr.  Brainerd 
wrote  a  long  letter  on  shipboard  to  his  own  children  and 
iiis  Sabbath-school  children  ;  telling  them  all  the  events 
that  were  likely  to  interest  them.  In  Liverpool,  he  saw  a 
Sunday-school  procession,  which  he  tells  them  looked  very 
well,  adding,  "  But  Mr.  Farr  and  I  agreed  that  we  knew 
some  children,  three  thousand  miles  off,  who  looked  brighter 
and  better  than  these." 

The  Evangelical  Alliance  would  not  meet  until  the  17th 
of  August.  The  Temperance  Convention  was  to  meet  on 
the  4th.  This  allowed  Mr.  Brainerd  but  six  weeks  to 
make  his  rapid  survey  of  all  that  he  could  see  in  Europe. 
He  designed  to  return  home  early  in  the  fall  as  soon  as 
these  Conventions  adjourned.  He  made  the  most  of  his 
time  and  means.  In  three  weeks  he  had  made  a  flying 
visit  to  Dublin,  Belfast,  Glasgow,  Ayr,  Stirling,  Falkirk 
and  Edinburgh,  remaining  from  two  to  three  days  in  each 
place.     He  was  never  so  tired  at  night,  after  a  day's  travel, 

18* 


20G        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

l)at  he  would  walk  out,  to  gain  the  first  impressions  of  the 
place  ;  and  in  the  smaller  toAvns,  make  a  superficial  survey 
of  the  city  or  villag-e. 

Like  all  enterprising  Americans,  Mr.  Brainerd  pre- 
ferred riding  in  the  second  class  cars  for  two  reasons :  the 
economy  of  so  doing,  and  the  advantages  of  information 
gained  from  intelligent  passengers,  who  all  patronize  this 
class  of  cars.  He  rode  often  on  the  top  of  the  stages, 
where  his  opportunities  for  seeing  the  country  were  better, 
and  where  he  found  fellow-passengers  able  and  willing  to 
point  out  the  places  of  interest  on  the  route. 

He  indulged  his  Yankee  habits  of  talking  Avith  every- 
body, the  same  as  at  home,  and  gained  much  information 
as  well  as  amusement  thereby.  On  one  occasion,  when  in 
the  neighborhood  of  a  church  built  by  Oliver  Cromwell,  he 
asked  a  fellow-traveler,  an  Englishman,  if  he  could  tell 
where  "  Cromwell's  Church  "  was.  " CromwelVs  Church  V 
repeated  the  man  to  himself,  in  an  inquiring  tone,  then 
raising  his  voice  he  called  to  a  passer-by,  "Here,  boy,  can 
you  tell  us  where  Mr.  Cromwell  preaches  about  here?" 

Mr.  Brainerd  said  of  Scotland,  "  I  like  the  Scotch  a 
great  deal  better  than  ever  before,  and  you  know  how  en- 
thusiastic I  am  concerning  Sir  Walter  Scott.  I  have  gone 
this  whole  round  in  the  greatest  excitement  and  pleasure. 
In  Glasgow,  Stirling,  and  Edinburgh  I  have  met  the  most 
abundant  hospitality.  I  could  not  accept  half  the  invita- 
tions I  received  to  dinner  and  tea. 

"I  saw  Dr.  Chalmers  twice,  and  took  breakfast  with 
him.  He  is  some  like  Dr.  Beecher.  I  showed  him  David 
Brainerd's  manuscript  journal,  with  which  he  was  greatly 
delighted.  He  seemed  much  pleased  when  I  told  him  that 
I  had  named  my  eldest  son  after  him.  '  Have  ye?'  said  he. 
'  I  will  write  him  a  letter  !'  He  went  immediately  to  his 
desk,  wrote,  and  carefully  sealed  it  for  our  'Tom;^  direct- 
ing  it  in   full  to    'Master  Thomas    Chalmers   Brainerd.' 


VISIT  TO    EUROPE.  207 

After  he  liad  written  the  letter,  lie  said,  '  TTow  old  is 
yourljoy?'  '  Nine,' I  replied.  'Can  he  read?'  said  the 
doetor.  '  Oh,  yes/  said  I,  '  he  is  quite  a  good  scholar.' 
'  Then  he  will  be  offended  at  one  sentence  in  my  letter,' 
said  he  ;  '  I  supposed  he  was  younger.'  The  letter  con- 
tained a  eulogy  of  the  Bible,  which  Dr.  Chalmers  said  he 
'hoped  he  would  learn  to  read  and  to  love.' 

"  It  was  a  beautifid  thought  in  the  old  doctor  to  give 
Tom  this  document." 

Dr.  Chalmers  died  the  following  winter,  and  it  was  a 
great  satisfaction  to  Mr.  Brainerd  that  ho  was  allowed  to 
see  so  much  of  him. 

Mr.  Brainerd  had  reserved  several  days  for  Teviotdale, 
the  classic  ground  made  so  memorable  by  Sir  Walter 
Scott.     We  give  his  own  narrative. 

"  Having  finished  my  explorations  in  Edinburgh,  I  took 
the  coach  for  Kelso.  As  usual  I  paid  sixpence  extra  for  a 
seat  on  the  coachman's  box.  Promise  the  driver  a  six- 
pence and  he  will  tell  all  and  singular  of  her  Majest3''s 
subjects  that  a  'gemman^  has  engaged  the  box,  and 
deems  it  an  honor  to  tell  a  'gemman  '  all  that  ever  occurred 
on  the  route,  and  some  more. 

"  After  the  inside  of  the  coach  was  well  filled,  a  gentle- 
man and  his  family  came  to  find  accommodations.  His 
family  consisted  of  his  wife,  four  children,  and  three  ser- 
vants. They  were  returning  to  their  home  from  their  ac- 
customed summer  trip  to  the  sea-shore. 

"  Fortunately  for  me  the  g(Miilenian  and  lady  occupied 
the  seat  on  the  top  of  the  coach  just  Ijack  of  my  own.  The 
gentleman  at  once  entered  into  conversation.  My  deep 
interest  in  the  places  and  scenery  around  marked  me  as  a 
stranger,  and  my  inquiries  or  intonations  revealed  my 
Americanism.  My  Scotch  friend  was  as  intelligent  as 
courteous,  and  while  he  answered  all  my  questions,  sought 
compensation  in  various  and  minute  inquiries  concerning 


208        ^^IF'E   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

America.  I  could  not  understand  his  interest  in  me  as  an 
American  until  he  told  me  tliat  liis  beloved  brother  had 
traveled  in  America;  had  experienced  great  hospitality  in 
Philadelphia,  where  he  had  died  among  strangers;  but 
strangers  who  had  sympathized  in  his  sufferings,  obeyed 
his  dying  requests,  and  given  him  an  honored  grave.  After 
a  ride  of  thirty  miles,  1  saw  with  regret  that  my  compan- 
ions were  making  preparations  to  leave.  Mr.  R.,  turning 
to  me,  said  suddenly,  '  Where  is  your  destination  to-night  ?' 
'Kelso.'  'Are  you  acquainted  there  ?'  'No;  but  I  have 
letters  of  introduction.'  '  Do  you  expect  to  stay  any  time 
in  the  neighborhood  ?'  'A  few  days,  to  see  Melrose,  Ab- 
botsford,  etc'  'You  must  go  home  with  me,  sir,'  said 
Mr.  R.  '  I  reside  about  a  mile  distant.  You  may  like  to 
look  over  a  Scotch  farm,  and  I  will  go  with  you  to  visit 
the  scenery  of  the  Tweed  and  Abbotsford.' 

"'Your  kindness  surprises  me,  exercised  toward  a 
stranger,  and  I  fear  you  would  wonder  if  I  should  ac- 
cept it.' 

"'No,'  said  Mr.  R.;  'my  brother  was  everywhere  in 
America  greeted  with  kindness, — especially  in  Philadelphia, 
where  you  reside ;  and  I  shall  be  most  happy  to  recipro- 
cate to  any  American  the  same.'  His  wife  joined  in  urg- 
ing my  acceptance  of  the  invitation ;  and  I  was  overcome 
by  this  courtesy  and  the  advantages  which  it  promised. 
The  carriages  and  servants  made  their  appearance,  Mr.  R. 
saw  my  baggage  safely  bestowed  with  their  own,  and  then 
a  drive  of  a  mile  through  his  grounds  brought  us  to  the 
family  mansion.  I  told  Mr.  R.  my  name  and  profession 
as  a  clergyman,  and  found  he  was  an  officer  in  the  same 
church.     This  establislied  terms  of  confidence  between  us. 

"  His  plantation  consisted  of  more  than  two  thousand 
acres,  on  which  were  some  twenty  tenants'  cottages. 

"  After  a  family  supper,  worship  was  held  in  good  old 
Scotch  fashion,  and  we  retired  for  the  night.     I  have  sel- 


VISIT  TO   EUROPE .  209 

(lorn  laid  my  head  on  mv  ])illow  under  a  hig-her  sense  of 
g-ratitude,  than  I  then  felt  for  sueh  sympathy  and  kindness 
from  strangers  In  a  strange  land. 

"  During  breakfast  the  next  morning,  Mr.  R.  said,  '  I 
have  ordered  the  carriage  and  must  take  you  myself  to  see 
the  scenery  of  the  Tweed  and  Abbotsford.'  I  can-  truly 
say  this  drive  furnished  the  most  picturesque,  various,  and 
charming  views  I  met  in  Europe.  Nine  miles  of  this  river 
scenery  brouglit  us  to  Dry  burgh  Abbey,  where  I  gazed  at 
the  sod  which  covers  the  ashes  of  Walter  Scott.  Our  next 
visit  was  to  Melrose  Abbey  ;  and  from  Melrose  we  followed 
the  Tweed  about  three  miles,  mostly  through  the  estate  of 
Sir  Walter  Scott,  to  Abbotsford. 

"  The  house  is  a  Romance  in  stone  and  lime.  It  is 
picturesque  and  beautiful,  but  too  diminutive  for  a  Gothic 
castle,  which  it  was  designed  to  imitate.  It  is  a  vast  store- 
house of  curiosities,  so  that  it  resembles  a  museum  more 
than  a  dwelling.  The  library  is  as  the  great  poet  left  it, 
and  so  is  his  study, — even  the  garments  which  he  last  wore, 
which  are  here  shown  in  a  glass  case. 

"  We  reached  home  about  sunset.  Resting  on  the  Sab- 
bath, according  to  the  commandment,  in  the  hospitable 
mansion  of  Mr.  R.;  on  Monday,  in  a  carriage  furnished  by 
my  host,  I  reached  Kelso,  at  the  junction  of  the  Tweed  and 
Teviot.  Such  hospitality,  such  scenery,  such  historic  as- 
sociations, have  left  impressions  never  to  be  forgotten." 

On  separating  from  these  pleasant  friends,  ]\Ir.  R.  pre- 
sented Mr.  Brainerd  with  a  set  of  views  of  the  places  of 
interest  in  Teviotdale,  which  they  had  visited. 

Mr.  Brainerd  left  Kelso  on  the  15th  of  July,  via  Jed- 
burgh, Newcastle,  and  York,  for  London.  lie  remained 
but  ten  days  in  London,  as  he  expected  to  return  soon  ;  and 
Avould  be  located  there  for  several  weeks  during  the  ses- 
sions of  the  Convention. 

He  then  embarked  for  France  with  Mr.  Farr. 


210        LIFE   OF  REV.    THOMAS  BRA/NERD,  D.D. 

At  the  hotel  in  Paris  he  met  Div^.  Skinner,  Patton,  and 
Mason,  of  New  York;  a  dozen  Philadelphians;  Gov.  Arm- 
strong', of  Mass.,  and  several  other  acquaintances.  His 
visit  to  the  Continent  was  little  else  than  an  aggravation  ; 
as  he  had  but  ten  days  to  appropriate  before  he  must  re- 
turn to  attend  the  Temperance  Convention. 

Quoting  again  from  his  letter,  Mr.  Brainerd  says  :  "  I 
went  from  Paris  to  Brussels  ;  from  thence  to  Cologne,  and 
up  the  Rhine  two  hundred  miles  to  Strasburg.  I  then 
took  the  railroad  to  Basle,  in  Switzerland.  After  just 
glancing  at  the  Alps,  I  turned  back,  and  returned  to  Lon- 
don by  way  of  Ghent,  Ostend,  and  Ramsgatc.  I  traveled 
in  all  about  sixteen  hundred  miles  on  the  Continent,  and 
with  the  greatest  satisfaction."  The  want  of  time  and 
money  prevented  any  farther  progress.  The  self-denial 
was  considerable  to  a  man  who  so  heartily  enjo3'ed  traveling 
and  sight-seeing. 

The  Convention  met  on  the  ITth  of  August,  and  con- 
tinued in  session  and  earnest  delil)eration  fourteen  days. 
Jt  enrolled  over  two  thousand  names.  Sixty-three  Amer- 
ican" delegates  were  present,  representing  every  Christian 
denomination.  The  meetings  were  held  in  Exeter  Hall, 
where  four  thousand  people  assembled  to  hear  addresses 
from  speakers  of  different  nations  and  creeds,  but  of  one 
heart. 

After  eight  days'  deliberation,  when  every  other  doubtful 
point  had  been  settled,  and  a  common  platform  constructed, 
on  which  Protestants  of  all  parties  could  hold  fellowship, 
the  question  of  union  with  slaveholders  was  introduced. 

For  a  time,  this  discussion  seemed  likely  to  undo  all  that 
had  been  done.  It  was  regarded  as  very  discourteous  to 
the  Americans  present, — nearly  all  of  whom  were  from  the 
North  and  strongly  antislavery.  Mr.  Brainerd  writes : 
"The  subject  of  slaver}'  was  settled  by  a  resolution,  which 
I  aided  in  preparing,  as  one  of  a  great  committee,  who 


VISIT   TO  EUROPE.  211 

labored  twenty-four  hours  over  it.  It  does  not  please  me, 
but  we  must  adopt  it  or  blow  our  Alliance  to  fragments." 

Dr.  Beecher  was  a  member  both  of  the  "Evangelical  Al- 
liance" and  the  "  Temperance  Convention."  He  reached 
England  during  Mr.  Brainerd's  short  absence  on  the  Con- 
tinent. 

Mr.  Brainerd  was  much  gratified  by  receiving,  soon  after 
his  return  to  London,  the  following  note: 

"Stoke  Newington,  6th  day. 

"  Esteemed  Friend  : 

"  I  have  the  pleasure  of  entertaining  as  guests  Dr.  Beecher 
and  his  wife.  Dr.  Beecher  has  mentioned  thy  name  to  me, 
as  a  friend  of  his,  and  I  write  to  solicit  that  thou  wilt  make 
my  house  thy  home  while  in  the  nei^ihborhood.  And  that 
thou  wilt  accompany  Dr.  Beecher  to  Stoke  Newington  this 
evening  and  during  the  sittings  of  the  Convention.  I  must 
join  with  this  another  request — that  thou  wilt  take  regularly 
in  the  evening  what  we  call  a  '  box-cab,'  to  convey  thyself 
and  Dr.  Beecher  to  my  house,  and  I  will  repay  this  expense. 
This  I  must  ask  thee  not  to  decline.  It  is  due  to  Dr. 
Beecher's  age  and  services  in  the  cause  of  Christ  and  of 
man  that  we  should  do  all  we  can  to  promote  his  comfort. 
"  I  am,  although  personally  unknown, 

"  Thy  sincere  friend, 

"  G.  VV.  Alexander." 

Accepting  this  cordial  invitation,  Mr.  Brainerd  found 
himself  established  in  most  luxurious  quarters,  with  his 
dear  old  friend,  Dr.  Beecher,  in  the  family  of  G.  W.  Alex- 
ander, President  of  the  British  Antislavery  Society,  and 
one  of  the  leading  members  of  the  Society  of  Friends.  In 
addition  to  the  indulgence  of  the  "  box  cab,"  Mr.  Alexan- 
der, the  next  morning  after  breakfast,  presented  both  Dr. 
Beecher  and  Mr.  Brainerd  with  a  guinea  to  meet  the  daily 
omnibus  fare  from  his  house  to  Exeter  Hall.     Mr.  Brai- 


212        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAFXERD,  D.D. 

nerd  declined  this  Ijonnty,  when  Mr.  Alexander  insisted 
upon  its  reception,  saying:  ''Thee  must  take  it;  this  is 
my  mode  ;  I  cannot  think  of  taxing-  thee  to  meet  the  dis- 
tance from  my  house  to  the  Hall." 

After  breakfast  they  were  invited  to  join  the  family  cir- 
cle in  their  devotions,  which  consisted  in  listening  for 
twent}^  minutes  to  a  portion  of  the  life  of  one  of  the  preachers 
of  their  Society,  commended  to  them  as  an  example.  Mr. 
Alexander  courteously  added,  "Thomas,  thee  or  Lyman 
is  at  libert}^  to  pray,  if  the  Spirit  moves  thee." 

The  "  Spirit"  did,  once,  move  both  Dr.  Beecher  and 
Mr.  Brainerd  to  offer  a  petition  for  the  blessing  of  God 
upon  the  action  of  the  Conventions,  the  country,  the  world, 
and  the  family  of  their  philanthropic  host. 

On  leaving  this  pleasant  family,  Mr.  Alexander  pre- 
sented Mr.  Brainerd  with  one  of  the  most  beautiful  Greek 
Testaments,  in  clearness  of  type  and  execution,  that  he  had 
ever  seen.  On  the  fly-leaf  was  written,  "  Remember  them 
that  are  in  bonds,  as  bound  with  them."  Ileb.  xiii.  3. 

The  same  adhesiveness  seemed  to  attend  the  friend- 
ships cultivated  during  Mr.  Brainerd's  short  sojourn  in 
England  and  Scotland  as  had  alwaj's  marked  them  at 
home.  From  several  sources  he  received  letters  bearing 
grateful  evidence  of  kindly  remembrance  for  many  years 
after  this  visit. 

During  his  short  sta}^  with  Mr.  R.,  of  Xenthorn,  Teviot- 
dale,  Scotland,  Mr.  Brainerd  learned  that  his  brother  had 
died  in  Pliiladelphia,  and  was  buried  in  the  grounds  of  St. 
Peter's  Church,  occui)ying  the  square  next  to  his  own 
church.  After  his  return  home  he  examined  the  monu- 
ment, which  was  one  of  the  most  tasteful  in  the  ground, — 
a  broken  column  on  a  handsome  pedestal, — in  the  south- 
east part  of  the  ground,  inclosed  by  an  iron  railing.  He 
employed  a  good  painter  to  make  a  coj)y  of  the  monument, 
with  the  beautiful  surrounding  drapery  of  willows  and  ivy, 


VISIT  TO   EUROPE.  213 

and  sent  the  picture  to  Mr.  R.  by  a  friend  going  to  Scot- 
land. He  received  the  following  hearty  acknowledgment 
from  his  Scotch  friend,  which  amply  repaid  this  small 
service : 

*  *  *  *  "  We  feel  much  gratified  hy  this 
proof  of  your  friendship  ;  it  is,  besides,  a  pleasant  reflection 
that  my  brother's  remains  rest  so  near  your  place  of  wor- 
ship. 

"  Return  my  warm  thanks  to  Mr.  Catlin  for  his  very 
beautiful  })ainting.  If  he  ever  visits  this  country,  which 
would  be  interesting  to  a  painter,  it  would  give  us  much 
pleasure  to  have  him  visit  us. 

"Mrs.  R.  and  myself  look  back  with  great  pleasure  to 
our  meeting  with  3'ou.     She  unites  in  very  kind  regards. 
"  And  I  remain,  very  sincerely,  yours, 

"F.  L.  R." 

After  returning  to  London,  Mr.  Braiuerd  writes,  under 
date  of  Aug.  30th,  "  I  was  greatly  interested  in  all  I  have 
seen  ;  but  the  most  happy  moment  was  the  one  when  I 
said  in  Switzerland,  '  My  journey ~is  ended — now  I  turn 
toward  home.''  I  have  seen  the  best  things  in  the  Old 
World,  but  nowhere  have  I  seen  a  place  so  sweet  to  me 
as  Green  Hill.  Thank  God,  the  time  has  nearly  elapsed 
when  I  can  go  home." 

"London,  Aug.  30th,  1846. 

"  The  World's  Temperance  Convention  met  on  the 
4th  of  August.  It  was  attended  by  a  crowd,  but  they 
were  mainly  of  the  common  and  lower  class.  With  many 
honorable  exceptions,  the  nobility,  gentry,  and  clergy  of 
Great  Britain  nre  all  in  the  daily  habit  of  using  intoxica- 
ting drinks.  Had  the  delegates  from  the  United  States 
consulted  their  own  popularity  they  would  not  have  ven- 
tured upon  the  advocacy  of  a,  cause  so  un})opular  with  the 

L9 


214        TAPE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

upper  classes  here.  But  they  threw  themselves  into  the 
Convention  with  a  hearty  desire  to  arouse  the  British  na- 
tion to  a  conviction  of  the  dignit}'  and  value  of  the  temper- 
ance cause.  I  trust  they  were  able  to  get  some  American 
principles  into  the  popular  mind. 

"Dr.  and  Mrs.  Beecher  and  myself  are  at  a  'Friend's' 
house,  in  one  of  the  most  beautiful  environs  of  London. 
It  is  a  perfect  little  Paradise  of  about  three  acres,  and  we 
'fare  sumptuously.'  He  made  us  both  take  ten  dollars  to 
pay  our  omnibus  expenses  to  and  from  the  city. 

"  I  have  been  so  interested  in  the  Convention  that  I  have 
clung  to  it  day  and  night  for  two  weeks.  My  head  has 
ached,  but  I  could  not  stay  away.  It  is  the  first  time  so 
many  British  and  American  clergy  have  met  since  the 
Pilgrims  left  for  Plymouth.  I  think  we  have  honored 
America  ;   and  we  have  perr^onally  been  treated  with  great 

L'lrirliTii^c;  *  *  *  'T*  ^  'l^  ^  * 

"  I  was  on  the  most  important  committee  of  the  session, 
and  was  invited  to  address  a  congregation  of  four  thousand, 
in  one  of  the  four  great  public  meetings;  and  I  was  ap- 
pointed one  of  a  permanent  committee  to  get  up  a  Branch 
Alliance  in  the  United  States. 

"  The  Protestant  world  never  before  had  such  a  meeting. 
There  has  been  good  speaking,  and  high  profes.sious  of  love, 
and  great  enthusiasm, — and  sound  debate  and  some  fanat- 
icism,— but  what  will  be  gained  I  am  unable  to  say. 

"  I  have  also  addressed  two  of  the  largest  temperance 
meetings  ever  held  in  London.  I  send  you  some  papers 
in  which  are  meager  reports  of  our  speeches." 

Mr.  Brainerd  delivered  the  address  on  temperance  in 
Exeter  Hall,  Monday  evening,  August  24th.  This  occasion 
procured  him  the  misfortune,  or  the  good  fortune,  to  be 
caricatured  by  "Punch."  Mr.  Brainerd  closed  his  re- 
marks by  an  appeal  to  the  women  present,  and  said,  "That 
as  one  woman  ruined  the  world  by  persuading  man  unlaw- 


CORRESPOND  ENCE.  2 1 5 

fully  to  eat,  he  was  .s-lad  to  l)elieve  that  the  sex,  with  un- 
diminished power,  would  rally  to  save  the  world  by  per- 
suading men  not  unlawfully  to  drink.'" 

After  ridiculing  the  object  and  spirit  of  the  Temperance 
Convention,  as  might  be  expected,  and  bestowing  a  large 
share  of  obloquy  upon  the  '^American  AjjOi<lles  of  Tem- 
perance," "Punch"  goes  on  to  say:  "The  Rev.  Thomas 
Brainerd,  of  Philadelphia,  however,  has  settled  the  ques- 
tion by  shifting  it  upon  the  shoulders  of  weak  woman, 
whom  he  twitted  with  an  indiscretion  (now  of  a  few  thou- 
sand j^ears'  standing)  in  a  very  shabby  si)irit.  Eve  having 
plucked  the  apple,  he  thought  it  was  the  duty  of  her 
daughters  to  set  tiieir  faces  against  cider." 

To  Mrs.  B. 

"  HUBDKRSFIELD,  Sept.  9th,  1846. 

"After  leaving  London,  on  Tuesday  morning,  I  reached 
the  old  city  of  Coventry  about  12  M.  From  Coventry  I 
went  to  Kenilworth  Castle,  the  finest  ruin  I  have  seen 
anywhere.  There  is  just  enough  of  it,  not  too  much. 
I  came  near  catching  a  fall  of  some  fifty  feet,  as  I  was 
clambering  along  an  ivy-covered  wall.  Tuesday  night 
I  returned  to  Birmingham.  Wednesday  I  went  to  Shef- 
field, and  examined  the  grand  cutlery  establishment  of 
Rodgers.  I  came  to  this  place  (Huddersfield,  Yorkshire) 
last  evening,  and  addressed  a  great  temperance  meet- 
ing. Rev.  John  Marsh,  Dr.  Muzzy,  and  myself  are  here 
to  officiate  at  a  great  temperance  festival  which  is  to 
come  off  to-night,  in  a  supper  and  speech-making,  where 
some  twelve  hundred  will  be  assembled.  I  shall  stay  a 
day  or  two  longer,  and  then  make  some  excursions  in  the 
neighborhood.  I  have  engaged  my  passage  home  in  the 
Great  Britain,  for  the  22d  September.  I  tried  to  get  a  pas- 
sage in  the  Great  Western,  of  the  r2th,  but  failed,  as  it  was 
full.     The  Cunard  steamers  charge  two  hundred  dollars. 


216        LTFE   OF  REV.  THOMAS  BRATNERD,  D.D. 

and  I  save  b}'  the  Groat  Britain  seventy  dollars  of  this 
amount. 

"My  health  is  better  than  when  I  last  wrote,  and  when 
I  gQi  back  to  my  old  diet  and  quiet  habits,  I  hope  I  shall 
find  great  improvement." 

********** 

To  Mrs.  B. 

"  Leamington,  Sept.  17th,  1S46. 

*  *  *  "I  wrote  one  week  ago  from  Iludders- 
field,  one  hundred  and  thirty  miles  from  this  place.  I 
lectured  at  Leeds,  a  city  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  thou- 
sand inhabitants,  on  Friday  evening.  Then  Mr.  Castles,* 
of  London,  insisted  I  should  come  back  to  Leamington,  as 
he  said  he  had  announced  me  there  for  Monday  evening, 
Leamington  is  a  watering-place  of  great  beauty,  six  miles 
from  Kenilworth  and  ten  from  Stratford- on-Avon.  It  is 
the  geographical  center  of  England,  and  the  center  of  its 
best  scenery.  Mr.  Castles  paid  my  passage,  gave  me  a 
hospitable  place  to  board,  and  has  taken  me  to  Kenil- 
worth again,  Warwick  Castle,  Guy's  Cliff,  and  Stratford- 
on-Avon.  We  have  ridden  every  day  to  the  most  charm- 
ing scenes  of  Old  England.  Mrs.  Castles  has  given  me 
for  you  two  fine  colored  engravings  of  Warwick  and  Ken- 
ilworth Castles.  You  see  1  am  a  lucky  fellow  in  making 
friends  and  saving  money. 

"I  preached  on  Sunday  evening ;  had  a  good  deal  of 
my  old  vertigo;  but  on  Monday  evening  I  lectured  an  hour 
on  temperance  with  great  comfort, 

"  The  Great  Britain,  in  which  I  am  to  embark,  sails  on 
Tuesday,  the  22d.  So  you  see,  if  I  am  favored,  I  shall  be 
in  Philadelphia  soon  after  this  letter.  I  shall  leave  this 
l)lace  for  Liverpool  Saturday  or  Monday.  I  am  impatient 
to  get  home." 

*  The  publisher  of  "cheap  literature  for  the  million." 


SHTrWRECK.  211 

"Liverpool,  Sept.  29th,  1816. 

"  I  am  b\'  tlio  kind  providence  of  God  alive  and  well.  I 
know,  as  day  after  day  has  passed  by  and  no  tidings  from 
the  Great  Britain,  you  must  have  been  anxious  and 
alarmed.  According'  to  my  i)lan,  which  I  sent  to  you 
from  Leamington,  I  made  a  little  visit  to  Manchester,  and 
came  on  to  Liverpool  on  the  2Lst,  and  on  the  22d  em- 
barked in  the  Great  Britain.  She  is  twice  as  large  as  any- 
other  vessel  that  ever  floated, — three  thousand  five  hundred 
tons  burden  and  three  hundred  and  twenty  feet  long.  I 
felt  a  little  fear  before  I  saw  her,  as  several  had  said  she 
would  break  in  two  in  a  storm.  But  after  I  saw  her 
motions  I  hadgreat  confidence  that  she  would  run  across 
in  twelve  days. 

"All  our  passengers  were  in  fine  spirits.  The  ship  was 
so  large  that  she  had  almost  no  motion,  and  we  made  one 
hundred  miles  to  the  Isle  of  Man  by  dark.  I  had  not 
been  very  well  for  a  day  or  two,  and  went  to  bed  at  nine 
o'clock.  I  had  fallen  asleep  about  half  an  hour,  when  our 
great  leviathan  ship  struck  a  rock.  This  tore  off"  her  rud- 
der and  stopped  the  propeller.  In  five  minutes  more  we 
came  with  a  tremendous  crash  on  the  ground.  We  had 
stranded — but  on  what  or  where  neither  the  captain  nor 
any  one  else  knew.  The  night  was  pitchy  dark  ;  the  storm 
rose  higher  and  higher  ;  it  thundered,  lightened,  and  rained 
in  torrents.  The  sea  broke  over  us,  and  our  ship  thumped 
up  and  down  as  if  every  timber  would  break  asunder. 
There  were  three  hundred  souls  on  board  ;  men  were  pale 
and  women  agitated.  I  rose  from  my  berth  on  the  first 
striking  and  tried  to  find  my  clothes.  This  was  hard  in 
the  dark  ;  but  I  succeeded  in  dressing  partially  ;  then  went 
and  got  a  candle  and  adjusted  my  clothes.  I  thought  my 
last  hour  had  come.  '  Here  on  this  shore,'  I  said,  'I  am 
to  die.'  I  knelt  in  my  little  room  and  commended  myself 
to  the  mercy   of  God  ;    I  prayed    for  my   absent  family 

19* 


218        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRATNERD,  D  D. 

individually;  I  rcniPinbercd  my  beloved  congre^-ation  in 
Pine  Street  Church,  and  prayed  for  them.  While  thus 
occupied  I  felt  a  courage  Avhich  I  had  never  anticipated. 

"  I  then  went  into  the  large  cabin  and  said  a  ^aw  words 
of  religious  direction  and  encouragement  to  my  fellow- 
passengers.  Dr.  Cox  followed  with  an  address  and  prayer ; 
the  Rev.  Dr.  Tucker  read  the  4Gth  Psalm ;  and  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Gilvery,  of  Glasgow,  made  a  short  address  and  prayer. 
While  engaged  in  these  services,  the  wind  had  ri.sen  to  a 
tempest,  and  the  ship  was  rising  and  falling  on  the  beach 
with  a  most  appalling  crash  ;  but  not  a  word  was  spoken 
nor  a  cry  uttered  during  our  religious  service.  There  was 
a  deep  impression  that  our  help  was  alone  in  God. 

"I  had  eaten  no  supper,  and,  as  I  thought  I  might  be 
called  to  struggle  for  life,  and  should  need  all  the  strength 
I  could  make,  I  went  to  the  steward  for  something  to  eat. 
All  he  could  furnish  me  in  the  confu.-ion  was  a  piece  of 
bread  and  cheese,  which  I  ate  with  a  high  relish.  Dr.  Cox 
said  he  wondered  I  could  eat ;  but  m\' eating  in  the  middle 
of  the  cabin  seemed  to  quiet  the  fears  of  many,  who  sup- 
posed I  felt  confident  of  safety.  On  that  stormy  and  dark 
shore  I  gave  you  what  I  sujiposed  were  the  last  j»rayers  I 
could  offer  for  you.  In  this  way  I  wore  awa}'  several 
hours  of  the  night.  Once  I  determined  to  go  on  deck,  but 
a  huge  wave  drove  me  back  again.  I  emptied  my  small 
valise,  strai)i)ed  it  tight,  so  that  it  would  exclude  water 
for  some  time,  and  determined,  if  the  ship  broke  up,  to  use 
this  in  my  left  hand  and  swim  with  my  right,  with  the 
full  puri)Ose  to  struggle  for  life;  and  1  had  much  hope  that 
I  would  succeed  in  getting  ashore. 

"Capt.  Hosken  came  down  and  assured  the  passengers 
that  he  thought  the  ship  would  stand  till  morning,  when 
we  would  take  the  l)oats.  But  as  he  confessed  he  did  not 
know  w^here  we  were,  and  the  equinoctial  storm  was  on 
us,  and  no  boat  could  live  in  such  waves,  we  all  thought 


SHIPWRECK.  219 

the  possibility  of  escape  was  slight.  The  captain  burned 
l)lue  lights  at  the  forecastle  and  fired  signal  guns.  We 
could  see  lights  along  the  shore,  indicating  that  our  fellow- 
men  knew  our  danger  while  they  could  not  help  us.  About 
three  o'clock  the  wind  fell  ;  and  at  daylight  a  boat  came 
alongside  and  told  the  captain  that  we  had  run  ashore 
in  Dundrum  Bay,  thirty  miles  from  Belfast.  As  the 
light  increased,  we  saw  that  we  had  escaped  two  rocks 
which  gird  the  mouth  of  this  bay,  about  two  hundred 
feet  apart,  called  the  '  Cow  and  Calf.'  Had  we  struck 
on  either,  death  would  have  been  inevitable.  We  had 
struck  on  the  onh'  sand-beach  in  twenty  miles,  on  a  coast 
where  sixty-eight  vessels  have  been  wrecked  in  a  few  years 
past,  and  scores  of  lives  lost. 

"We  all  in  succession  got  'safe  to  land.'  We  were 
charged  most  exorbitant  prices  for  the  transportation  of 
ourselves  and  our  baggage  six  miles  to  Downpatrick, 
which  I  reached  at  seven  o'clock  p.m.  The  clergyman 
here  invited  me  to  his  house,  where  I  remained  two  days, 
and  then  took  the  coach  for  Belfast.  I  found  a  most  hos- 
pitable home  with  Mr.  Isaac  Arrott,  to  whom  Mr.  James 
Arrott,  of  Philadelphia,  had  given  me  a  letter,  and  '\\ho 
treated  me  very  kindly  last  June.  On  reaching  Liverpool 
the  owners  of  the  Great  Britain  paid  back  our  passage- 
money.  We  found  every  berth  in  the  steamers  of  the 
4th  and  9th  of  October  had  been  taken,  so  that  Dr.  Cox 
and  daughter  and  m3'Self,  with  many  others,  have  taken 
passage  in  the  packet-ship  New  York,  which  sails  on  the 
2d  of  October.  I  can  hardly  expect  to  reach  home  before 
the  10th  of  November.  But  for  this  casualty  I  shi)uld 
have  been  at  home  by  the  Gth  of  October.  Tell  the  Pine 
Street  people  I  am  more  impatient  than  they  can  be.  Still, 
I  think  the  long  voyage  is  just  what  I  need  after  all  my 
excitements. 

"  The  cause  of  our  accident  is  yet  a  profound  mystery. 


220        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAIXERD,  D  D. 

The  captain  fias  not  given  a  word  of  explanation.  I  fear 
the  world  will  say  that  the  lives  of  three  hundred  and 
twenty  human  beings  have  been  put  in  jeopardy,  and  a 
vast  amount  of  property  sacrificed  to  the  ambition  of  Cap- 
tain Hosken  to  make  a  quick  passage,  and  his  want  of  care 
as  a  navigator." 

After  a  rough  passage  of  five  weeks,  Mr.  Brainerd 
arrived  at  New  York  on  the  6th  of  November,  and 
reached  home  on  the  evening  of  the  same  day.  With  the 
ordinary  visitations  of  sickness  and  death  in  his  congrega- 
tion, he  found  everything  in  a  prosperous  condition,  and 
resumed  his  labors  with  expanded  views  and  quickened 
purposes  from  the  experience  of  the  last  six  months. 

While  Mr.  Brainerd  was  detained  in  Belfast  and  Liver- 
pool, before  again  embarking  for  America,  he  received 
several  letters  from  the  friends  with  whom  he  had  been 
recently  staying,  expressing  their  sympathy  for  the  occa- 
sion of  his  detention,  and  many  of  them  proffering  pecuni- 
ary assistance  if  he  should  require  it.  Soon  after  his 
return  home  he  received  a  kind  letter  from  his  liberal 
host,  Mr.  G.  W.  Alexander,  who  said: 

"I  hope  that  thou  wast  not  inconvenienced  from  want 
of  funds,  in  consequence  of  delay.  I  would  cheerfully 
have  supplied  such  a  want  hadst  thou  applied  to  me,  and 
I  had  certainly  known  where  to  address  thee.  Be  assured 
that,  although  we  did  not  wholly  agree  on  the  duty  de- 
volving upon  Christians  in  America,  in  reference  to  the 
existence  of  slavery  upon  a  gigantic  scale  in  that  country, 
my  wife  and  self  entertain  a  feeling  of  friendship  toward 
thee  which  I  believe  will  onlv  cease  with  life." 


CHAPTER    XI. 

CHURCH   BUILDING — LITERARY    PUBLICATIONS. 

THE  Green  Hill  Church,  which  was  commenced  before 
Mr.  Brainerd  went  to  Europe,  was  now  nearly  com- 
pleted. To  obtain  a  good  pastor  for  it,  Mr.  Brainerd  gave 
much  time  and  influence,  in  counsel  and  correspondence. 
Among  the  clergymen  who  occupied  the  new  pulpit  was  a 
young  man  recently  licensed,  from  New  England.  He 
had  considerable  popular  talent,  and  the  people  were  much 
pleased  with  him,  and  invited  him  to  settle  among  them. 
Ho  was  satisfied  with  the  attendance  and  intelligence  of 
the  congregation  ;  and,  as  lie  was  unmarried,  he  regarded 
the  salary  as  adequate  to  his  wants.  He  came  to  consult 
Mr.  Brainerd  on  the  sul)ject,  who  urged  him  to  give  an 
affirmative  answer.  With  some  hesitation,  he  said,  "7  am 
a/raid  it  is  not  the  jjlace  for  me  to  develop  myi^elf.''''  Mr. 
Brainerd  replied,  "  It  is  an  excellent  place  to  develop  the 
gospel  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ ;  but  I  do  not  know 
whether  it  is  exactly  the  place  for  you  to  develop  your- 
self.^^  In  relating  this  circumstance  afterward,  Mr.  Brai- 
nerd said,  "He  left  the  field,  and  has  since ''developed 
himself  by  giving  up  the  ministry.  The  little  congre- 
gation, under  the  patient  labors  of  better  men,  has  also 
'developed  itself  into  one  of  the  most  intelligent  and 
affluent  churches  in  the  city." 

This  church  always  retained  a  large  share  of  Mr.  Brai- 
nerd's  affections.  Growing  out  of  his  temporary  residence 
in  the  neighborhood,  watching  over  its  infancy,  and  mark- 

(221) 


222        LTFE   OF  REV.   TITOMAS  BRATNERD,  D.D. 

ing  its  steady  progress,  he  felt  it  to  be  a  most  successful 
enterprise,  while  it  was  but  one  of  many  in  which  he  took 
an  active  part,  and  for  which  he  cherished  an  abiding 
interest.  A  pastor  was  settled  over  it  in  the  summer  of 
184T,  and  it  has  gone  from  "strength  to  strength"  for 
twenty-two  years. 

On  the  Tth  of  June,  1848,  the  National  Whig  Conven- 
tion, to  nominate  candidates  for  the  Presidency  and  Vice- 
Presidency,  was  held  in  the  Chinese  Museum,  at  Phila- 
delphia. Mr  Brainerd  was  invited  to  open  the  Conven- 
tion with  praA'er. 

After  the  inauguration  of  General  Zachary  Taylor  as 
President  of  the  United  States,  in  the  following  spring, 
Mr.  Brainerd  saw  him  in  Washington,  and  said  to  him: 
"As  I  had  the  honor  of  praying  for  the  convention  which 
nominated  you,  I  shall  now  claim  the  privilege  of  praying 
that  you  may  administer  the  government  so  as  to  secure 
the  best  interests  of  the  nation  which  you  represent." 

President  Taylor  took  his  hand  in  both  of  his  own,  and 
in  the  heartiest  manner  thanked  him  fortius  grateful  assur- 
ance. 

While  getting  his  horse  shod  one  day,  Mr  Brainerd  told 
the  blacksmith  that  after  his  shipwreck  in  Dundrum  Bay 
he  visited  the  grave  of  St.  Patrick,  and  was  compelled  to 
receive  a  handful  of  earth  from  the  grave,  which  he 
brought  home.  "  Did  ye?"  replied  the  blacksmith.  "  Now 
if  your  reverence  has  ever  a  snake  or  a  toad  on  ye're 
place,  just  put  some  of  that  yearth  on  his  head,  and  he'll 
give  up  the  ghost." 

"I  haven't  faith  enough  for  that,"  said  Mr.  Brainerd; 
"  I  will  give  the  earth  to  3'ou  and  let  you  try  it!" 

A  few  days  after  he  carried  round  the  small  package  of 
Irish  soil  to  this  son  of  Erin,  and  as  often  as  he  passed  the 
shop  he  stopped  to  ask  how  many  snakes  and  toads  he  had 
killed.     The  man  always  protested  that  want  of  time  had 


ANECDOTES.  223 

prevented  him  from  using-  it,  but  he  was  just  about  to  try 
the  experiment.  "And  wlien  I  do,"  said  he,  "they'll  die; 
if  not,"  raising  his  heavy  hammer,  "this  ivill  finish  them!" 

Standing  in  one  of  the  locomotive  factories,  watching 
the  heavy  machinery  roll  off  iron  shavings  as  if  they  were 
feathers,  Mr.  Brainerd  said,  "  I  have  to  work  on  a  great 
deal  harder  material  than  this." 

"  What  is  it?"  replied  the  mechanic,  glancing  up  at  him 
with  an  inquiring  look, — "converting  sinnei'sV  "Yes," 
returned  Mr.  Brainerd,  "lam  glad  you  so  well  compre- 
hend the  nature  of  the  material." 

During  the  summer  of  1(S48  some  repairs  were  made  to 
the  church,  at  which  time  an  organ  was  introduced;  the 
interior  of  the  building  was  painted,  and  the  recess  for  the 
pulpit  very  handsomely  frescoed.  This  was  done  during 
the  summer  vacation,  and  Mr.  Brainerd  was  absent  several 
weeks.  He  took  his  oldest  son,  then  nearly  eleven  years 
of  age,  with  him,  and  made  a  journey  by  way  of  Pittsburg, 
to  Cleveland,  Niagara  Falls  and  Buffalo,  and  returning 
through  New  York,  stopped  for  a  week  at  his  native  town, 
Leyden.  At  Niagara  Falls,  where  he  passed  the  Sabbath, 
he  preached  to  the  fashionable  crowd  assembled  in  one  of 
the  large  hotels;  a  wonderful  contrast  to  the  audience  of 
the  Sabbath  following. 

In  the  visits  to  his  early  home,  which  were  made  every 
few  years,  Mr.  Brainerd  never  failed  to  open  the  old 
church  on  the  hill  for  religious  services,  where,  in  his  boy- 
hood and  youth,  he  attended  with  his  parents.  No  place, 
he  said,  was  so  dear  and  sacred  to  him.  A  more  modern 
church  had  been  built  at  Port  Leyden,  about  four  miles 
distant,  where  the  people  now  assembled,  and  the  old 
church  had  for  years  been  abandoned,  literally,  to  "  the 
owls  and  the  bats."     The  panes  of  glass  were  broken  in 


224        LIFE   OF  REV.   TFIOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

the  window;^,  and  the  buildinii'  was  otherwise  dilapidated, 
but  was  still  sound  enough  for  these  occasional  services  in 
the  summer  season. 

A  few  of  his  old  friends  alwaj^s  entered  with  enthusiasm 
into  his  proposition  to  preach  in  the  church  on  the  hill. 
On  one  occasion,  when  the  Sabbath  was  unusually  cool,  a 
temporary  curtain  was  tacked  up  to  the  pulpit  window  at 
his  back,  to  secure  him  from  the  danger  of  taking  cold. 
Here  he  peopled  again  the  old  square  pews  with  the  occu- 
pants of  the  olden  time,  the  great  majority  of  whom  were 
in  heaven,  while  their  children,  now  filling  the  same  seats, 
looked  just  enough  like  their  fathers  to  help  out  the  illu- 
sion. His  friend,  Mr.  Reuel  Kimball,  Jr.,  led  the  singing 
on  these  occasions,  and  the  halo  of  his  early  love  lighted 
up  the  building.  A  member  of  Mr.  Kimljall's  family,  in 
speaking  of  these  occasions,  says:  "  Ko  clergyman  ever 
commanded  the  congregation  in  his  native  town  that  Mr. 
Brainerd  did;  and  his  religious  influence  has  lived  on 
there  since  the  period  of  his  early  conversion." 

One  morning  in  September,  1848,  a  number  of  letters 
were  brought  in  while  Mr.  Brainerd  was  at  breakfast. 
After  glancing  rapidly  over  one  or  two,  he  held  a  third  in 
his  hand  some  minutes,  while  a  peculiar  expression  of  in- 
terest and  humor  told  his  famih'  it  contained  something 
unusual.  In  reply  to  the  inquiry  concerning  it,  he  passed 
over  this  letter  to  his  wife: 

"AiiHERST,  Mass.,  Sept.  5th,  IS 48. 
"  Dear  Sir: 

"  Absence  from  home  has  prevented  me  from  stating  to 
you  at  an  earlier  date,  what  you  may  perhaps  have  seen  in 
the  newspapers,  that  the  Trustees  of  Amherst  College,  at 
the  late  commencement,  conferred  upon  you  the  title  of 
Doctor  of  Divinity. 

"  It  was  due  to  vou  to  have  received  this  testimonv  frou] 


REPORT  TO   THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.         225 

some  older  college ;  but  as  it  was  not  done,  we  took  the 
liberty  to  offer  it  to  your  acceptance. 

"  We  know  not  whether  you  esteem  such  notices  of  any 
value,  but  we  hope  you  will  at  least  believe  that  it  was  in- 
tended, in  the  present  case,  not  only  to  bestow  a  well- 
merited  honor,  but  to  increase  your  means  of  influence  as 
a  minister  of  the  gospel. 

"  Respectfully  and  sincerely  yours, 

"Edward  Hitchcock." 

Mr.  Brainerd  had  not  received  an}"  previous  notice  of  this 
action  ;  and  it  took  him  some  little  time  to  dispose  of  it 
satisfactorily.  When  he  left  the  house  to  go  down  to  the 
city,  he  said,  playfully,  "  I  am  not  quite  certain  that  I 
shall  know  how  to  behave  to-day,  as  I  never  was  a  D.D. 
before !" 

In  the  General  Assembly  of  1849,  of  which  Mr.  Brai- 
nerd was  again  a  member,  he  was  appointed  chairman  of 
the  committee  to  open,  for  the  first  time,  a  fraternal  corre- 
spondence with  the  Old  School  Assembly.  He  reported  to 
the  next  Assembly  as  follows  : 

"  Philadelphia,  May  15th,  1850. 

"  To  THE  Moderator  of  the   General  Assembly  op 
THE  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  U.  S.  A. 

"  Dear  Sir: 

"  As  Chairman  of  the  Committee  on  '  Fraternal  Corre- 
spondence,' appointed  in  May,  1849,  with  directions  to  re- 
port to  the  present  Assembly  of  1850,  I  would  simply  say, 
— that  as  no  corresponding  committee  was  appointed  by 
our  brethren  of  the  Assembly  which  met  in  Pittsburg  last 
year,  no  opportunity  has  been  had  to  carry  out  the  frater- 
nal and  Christian  spirit  of  our  Assembly.  That  two  denomi- 
nations having  the  same  creed,  government,  and  forms  of 
worship,  the  same  historic  associations,  and  the  same  sub- 

20 


226        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAIN ERD,  D.D. 

stantial  enemies  and  friends,  should  have  some  obvious 
fellowship  with  each  other,  is  plain  ;  and  it  is  hoped  that 
God  will  inspire  all  concerned  to  reach  a  consummation  so 
much  to  be  desired.  But  as  to  the  mode,  I  will  venture  no 
suggestions. 

"With  great  respect  and  earnest  prayer  for  God's  bless- 
ing on  your  deliberations, 

"  I  remain  your  brother, 

"  Thomas  Brainerd." 

During  the  sessions  of  this  Assembly,  death  again  en- 
tered the  family  of  Mr.  Brainerd  and  took  away  his  youngest 
child, — a  lovely  little  boy  of  five  years,  who  died  on  the 
20th  of  May,  1849. 

His  father  was  illy  able  to  bear  trials  of  this  nature,  from 
his  peculiar  nervous  constitution  ;  and  to  see  his  little  boy 
suffering  under  brain  fever,  as  the  result  of  his  precocious 
intellect,  completely  unmanned  him.  For  three  years  from 
this  time,  he  was  affected  with  a  nervous  debility  which 
compelled  him  to  sit  while  preaching. 

The  funeral  of  his  little  son  was  largely  attended  by  the 
members  of  the  General  Assembly,  from  many  of  whom  he 
received  the  warmest  expressions  of  fraternal  sympathy. 

While  Mr.  Brainerd  had  realized  his  general  expectations 
of  benefit  by  his  residence  at  Green  Hill,  yet  the  death  of 
his  two  children  here,  had  cast  a  shade  over  his  enjoyment 
of  it  which  decided  him  in  the  purpose  of  returning  to  the 
city.  There  were  disadvantages  in  living  at  such  a  dis- 
tance from  his  church  which  even  his  daily  visits  to  the 
study  could  not  wholly  remedy.  He  made  an  effort  to  se- 
cure the  purchase  of  a  house,  about  two  squares  from  the 
church,  which  was  the  only  one  in  the  vicinity  within  his 
pecuniary  means.  He  purchased  this  on  mortgage,  by  the 
payment  of  one  thousand  dollars.  He  had  paid  less  than 
half  the  sum  for  rent  at  Green  Hill,  with  his  half-acre  gar- 


ADDRESS  AT  PITTSFIELD,  MASS.  22T 

don  and  fine  sliade-trees,  than  was  charged  him  for  a 
moderate  city  house,  with  its  few  feet  of  brick  pavement. 

His  object  in  buying-  a  liouse,  instead  of  renting  one,  was 
to  reduce  his  rent  to  the  interest  of  the  mortgage,  and 
stimulate  tlie  effort  to  save  something  in  this  way  for  his 
family.  The  event  finally  proved  it  to  be  the  only  mode  by 
which  anything  was  to  be  secured  for  them  from  his  small 
salary  of  two  thousand  dollars.  On  leaving  the  beautiful 
home  they  had  enjoyed  for  seven  summers,  a  member  of 
the  family  said  it  was  "  giving  up  houses  and  lauds  for 
the  gospel." 

Toward  the  close  of  September,  1849,  Mr.  Brainerd 
went  on  to  Pittsfield,  Mass.,  to  fulfill  an  engagement  to 
deliver  an  address  at  the  Anniversary  of  the  Young  Ladies' 
Institute,  under  the  charge  of  Prof.  Tyler.  In  a  letter  to 
his  family  he  says  : 

"I  went  on  board  the  Isaac  Newton  at  six  o'clock  r.M., 
and  was  sauntering  around,  when  whom  should  I  see  in 
a  corner  but  our  dear,  good  Dr.  Beecher  and  his  wife. 
Wasn't  I  glad  to  see  him  and  hold  a  chat !  We  got  break- 
fast together  in  Albany,  and  he  took  the  West  train  and  I 
the  East. 

"  I  reached  Pittsfield  at  ten  a.m.  The  chapel  was  filled 
and  the  exercises  going  on.  At  one  they  adjourned  to  a 
public  dinner,  and  at  two  o'clock  we  assembled  again,  when 
my  speech  came  off!  I  was  followed  by  ex-President 
Tyler,  of  Virginia,  who  made  a  short  address,  and  then  by 
a  poem  from  Oliver  Wendell  Holmes,  of  Boston. 

*  *  *  *  "I  have  had  man}"^  thanks  and 
compliments,  and  have  got  through  the  occasion  with  a 
comfort  which  is  miraculous!" 

Mr.  Brainerd's  address  was  published  at  Pittsfield,  and 
soon  afterward  by  Mrs.  Sarah  J.  Hale  in  "  The  Ladies' 
Book."  Extracts  were  frequently  published  in  magazines 
and  papers  in  various  parts  of  the  country. 


228        LIFE  OF  REV.  THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D,D. 

In  the  summer  of  1850,  Mr.  Brainerd  was  surprised  and 
gratified  by  a  call  from  Mr.  G.  W.  Alexander,  of  Loudon, 
accompanied  by  Mr.  Josiah  White,  of  Philadelphia. 

Mr.  Alexander  had  just  completed  an  official  inspection 
of  the  British  AYest  India  Islands,  to  ascertain  the  results  of 
emancipation  in  those  islands,  for  the  British  Antislavery 
Society,  of  which  he  was  president. 

He  addressed  a  large  audience  in  Mr.  Brainerd's  church 
on  the  evening  of  July  15th,  making  a  very  interesting 
statement  of  the  successful  working  of  the  emancipation 
policy,  and  urging  upon  his  hearers  the  duty  of  exerting 
every  influence  to  promote  the  just  rights,  the  happiness, 
and  the  intellectual,  moral,  and  religious  improvement  of 
the  colored  people.  Mr.  Brainerd  was  invited  to  meet  a 
large  circle  of  the  most  influential  Friends  of  Philadelphia 
at  Mr.  Josiah  White's,  the  same  week,  to  discuss  measures 
for  promoting  the  interests  of  the  colored  population  of  the 
United  States.  He  greatly  relished  the  hearty  cheerful- 
ness, geniality,  and  good-will  exhibited  on  this  occasion, 
as  well  as  the  magnificent  hospitality  which  graced  this 
antislavery  council. 

Mr.  Alexander's  report  was  published  by  the  British 
Antislavery  Society,  and  a  copy  forwarded  to  Mr.  Brainerd. 

Mr.  Barnes  and  Mr.  Brainerd  were  led  to  frequent  dis- 
cussion on  the  importance  of  meeting  the  religious  wants 
of  the  western  part  of  the  city,  where  families  from  their 
churches  were  continually  removing,  and  the  younger  mem- 
bers being  drawn  into  other  denominations,  from  the  ab- 
sence of  Presbyterian  churches  in  that  part  of  the  city. 

In  the  fall,  Mr.  Barnes  called  on  Mr.  M.  W.  Baldwin 
and  other  members  of  his  church,  and  they  concluded  to 
call  a  meeting  to  consider  the  claims  of  this  growing  neigh- 
borhood.* 

*  Wc  make  the  following  extract,  by  permission,  from  the  Memoir  of 
M.  AV.  Baldwin,  by  Rev.  Wolcott  Colkins,  pp.  115,  116. 


PLAIN  TALK.  229 

"  The  meetings  continued  to  adjourn  from  week  to  week, 
until  more  than  a  dozen  of  the  most  substantial  and  earn- 
est Christian  men  from  the  congregations  of  the  First,  Tine 
Street,  and  Clinton  Street  Churches,  were  interested  in 
the  deliberations.  Forty  successive  meetings  in  all  were 
held.  They  were  of  one  mind,  but,  unfortunately,  the  sub- 
scriptions could  not  be  brought  up  to  anything  like  the 
required  sum.  At  last  Dr.  Brainerd  made  one  of  his  char- 
acteristic speeches.  Only  a  month  or  two  before  his  death 
he  happened  to  relate  the  circumstance  to  a  friend,  so  that 
this  little  model  of  persuasive  eloquence  can  be  preserved 
almost  in  his  exact  words:  '  I  made  up  my  mind,'  said  he, 
'  that  Brother  Barnes  and  I  were  dealing  a  little  too  ten- 
derly with  our  rich  friends  I  was  not  afraid  of  them,  and 
thinking  the  time  had  now  come  fur  pretty  plain  talk,  I 
said  to  them : 

"  '  Brethren,  the  Lord  has  denied  to  you  the  privilege  of 
exercising  many  of  the  most  precious  graces  of  the  Chris- 
tian character,  which  in  his  infinite  mercy  he  has  vouch- 
safed to  the  rest  of  us.  You  never  knew  what  it  is  to 
repose  absolute,  unassisted  faith  in  God  for  the  things  of 
this  world.  You  never  had  to  go  to  sleep  at  night  without 
knowing  where  your  breakfast  was  to  come  from.  You 
never  had  a  sick  child  wasting  away  for  the  want  of  costly 
luxuries.  You  never  had  to  deny  \'ourselves  the  gratifica- 
tion of  the  impulses  of  pity  when  a  sufferer  came  to  your 
door.  You  never  had  to  endure  the  humiliation  of  being 
dunned  for  an  honest  debt  without  knowing  whether  you 
Qould  ever  pay  it.  All  these  unspeakable  advantages  in 
developing  Christian  character  an  inscrutable  Providence 
has  taken  from  you  and  bestowed  upon  us  poor  men.  The 
one  solitary  grace  of  the  Christian  life  which  has  been  de- 
nied to  us  and  given  to  you,  is  the  grace  of  liberality,  and 
if  youdoii't  exercise  that,  the  Lord  have  mercy  on  your 
souls  r 

20* 


230   LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BEAINERD,  V.D. 

"Every  one  who  ever  heard  Dr.  Brainerd  talk  when  he 
meant  it,  can  see  the  upturned  face,  sparkling  eye,  and 
compressed  lip  with  which  these  pungent  words  came  out. 
As  he  reached  this  part  of  the  narrative  to  his  friend  on 
that  memorable  ride  in  the  summer  of  186G,  he  reined  in  his 
horse  and  broke  out  in  the  heartiest  tone  :  '  My  confidence 
in  human  nature  was  not  misplaced.  At  first  I  was  al- 
most frightened  at  my  boldness  ;  but  soon  I  saAV  one  of 
those  amused  and  genial  smiles  begin  to  creep  over  Bald- 
win's face.  Somebody  caught  the  twinkle  of  his  eye,  and 
in  half  a  minute  the  whole  company  broke  into  inextin- 
guishable laughter.  In  two  or  three  weeks  we  had  some 
$t5,000  on  the  paper.'" 

Matthew  Baldwin  was  the  first  man  to  draw  the  paper 
toAvard  him  that  evening,  and  put  down  $10,000.  Others 
followed  this  noble  example,  and  subscribed  thousands, 
Avhere  they  were  before  giving  only  hundreds  of  dollars. 
The  great  enterprise  was  secured  in  one  of  the  most  taste- 
ful and  costly  church  edifices  ever  erected  in  Philadelphia. 
The  corner-stone  was  laid  on  the  Fourth  of  July,  1851,  and 
November  6th,  1853,  Calvary  Presbyterian  Church 
Avas  dedicated  to  the  service  of  Almighty  God. 

Accompanied  by  Rev.  Albert  Barnes,  Matthew  Baldwin, 
and  John  A.  Brown,  Esqs.,  Mr.  Brainerd  went  to  Boston, 
with  a  view  to  secure  the  services  of  Rev.  Edward  Kirk, 
as  pastor  of  the  new  church.  Failing  in  this  application, 
and  one  or  two  other  negotiations,  which  were  carried  on 
by  letter,  Mr.  Barnes  and  Mr.  Brainerd  went  to  Montreal 
together  to  confer  with  the  Rev.  Mr.  Jenkins  of  that  citj. 
Mr.  Jenkins  accepted  the  invitation,  and  soon  after  was 
installed  pastor  of  the  new  church,  which  ofiQce  he  held 
for  eight  years. 

Mr.  Brainerd  was  engaged  during  the  same  year,  1853, 
in  promoting  the  erection  of  a  church  at  Lyon's  Falls, 
Lewis  Co.,  N.  Y.,  within  a  few  miles  of  his  early  home. 


CnURCn  BUILDING.  231 

The  township  of  Greg,  containing-  1500  inhabitants,  was 
destitute  of  a  church  of  any  kind;  the  church-going  part 
of  the  community  attending  at  Port  Leyden,  the  nearest 
adjacent  town.  In  the  summer  Mr.  Brainerd  preached 
in  a  hotel  to  about  300  attentive  hearers,  and  was  excited 
by  the  scene  to  try  to  do  them  a  permanent  service.  The 
town  is  located  on  the  western  border  of  the  great  Adiron- 
dack forest.  Mr.  Brainerd  selected  the  site /or  the  build- 
ing on  a  picturesque  promontory  at  the  junction  of  the 
Moose  and  Black  rivers,  and  one  of  his  personal  friends, 
Miss  Henrietta  Lyon,  donated  an  acre  of  ground  for  the 
erection  of  the  church. 

A  few  families  in  the  neighborhood  pledged  themselves 
to  raise  $1000  toward  the  building,  and  Mr.  Brainerd 
promised  to  procure  for  them  one  thousand  more,  and  go 
up  and  dedicate  the  church  when  completed.  On  his  re- 
turn to  Philadelphia,  he  sent  them  the  plan  of  a  tasteful 
clmrch,  and  collected  the  amount  which  he  had  promised 
in  the  course  of  a  few  months.  The  work  was  pushed 
rapidly  forward,  and  finished  within  a  year.  It  was  called 
"  The  Forest  Church,"  and  the  name  was  beautifully 
executed  in  a  stained-glass  window,  at  the  entrance  of 
the  church.  It  stands  with  a  fine  grove  in  its  inclosure, 
shading  its  walls,  and  the  dark,  tangled,  unbroken  forest 
behind  it.  The  chancel  is  furnished  with  Avindows  of 
stained  glass,  and  the  church  fitted  up  Avith  furnace, 
marble  table,  oak  chairs,  belfry,  bell,  etc.  Its  cost,  all  told, 
was  12500. 

In  accordance  with  his  promise,  Mr.  Brainerd  preached 
at  its  dedication,  Aug.  6lh,  1854.  An  immense  crowd 
Avas  present.  Before  the  hour,  the  house  Avas  filled  in 
every  part.  Six  hundred  and  fift}^  people  Avere  in  the  house, 
and  twice  as  many  around  it.  It  was  said  by  those  Avho 
attemi)ted  to  "number  the  people,"  that  over  eighteen 
hundred  Avere  present.     At  least  three  hundred  vehicles 


232   LIFE    OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

brought  this  multitude  from  Greg,  and  tlie  neighboring 
towns  of  Leyden,  Lowville,  Marti nsburg,  and  Constable- 
ville.  Having  conducted  the  dedication  services  within 
the  house,  Mr.  Brainerd  went  out  of  doors  and  addressed 
the  mass  outside.  The  occasion  was  one  of  great  enthu- 
siasm both  to  speaker  and  hearers.  The  communion  was 
administered  in  tlie  afternoon.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Yale  and 
Kev.  Mr.  Morris  were  present  and  took  part  in  the  ser- 
vices. 

Occasions  of  open  air  preaching  were  of  frequent  occur- 
rence during  Dr.  Brainerd's  ministry  in  Philadelphia. 
The  southeastern  part  of  the  city  contained  a  large  popu- 
lation that  seldom  saw  the  inside  of  a  church.  Many  of 
the.se  were  mechanics,  engaged  in  the  extensive  manufac- 
tories located  in  that  section,  who  regarded  the  Sabbath 
as  chiefly  ordained  for  physical  rest  and  recreation.  They 
Avere  idlers  and  Sabbath-strollers  on  this  day.  In  the 
summer  months,  when  the  city  congregations  were  thinned 
by  absence  and  the  afternoon  services  were  suspended.  Dr. 
Brainerd  employed  the  usual  hour  in  preaching  iu  one 
of  the  southern  market-houses,  or  in  the  Carpenter  Street 
burying-ground,  which  belonged  to  Pine  Street  Church. 
The  shade-trees  of  this  inclosure  afforded  protection  from 
the  sun,  and  seats  were  readily  provided  from  the  neigh- 
boring lumber-yard.  A  sufficient  number  of  his  own 
church  memljers  attended  these  services  to  give  dignity 
and  order  to  the  exercises,  while  an  audience  of  out- 
siders was  collected  in  whom  the  novelty  of  the  service 
developed  earnest  emotion,  which  reacted  strongly  upon 
both  preacher  and  hearers. 

After  one  of  these  services,  a  member  of  his  church  said 
to  him:  "Dr.  Brainerd,  why  can't  you  preach  as  well  iu 
Pine  Street  Church  as  you  do  here  ?'"  "  1  can,"  he  replied, 
"if  you  will  cry  as  much  as  they  do  here!" 

A  correspondent  of  the  Christian  Obsercer  says:  "Un- 


VISITS   TO   MARTHA'S    VINEYARD.  233 

derstanding'  that  the  Rev.  Dr.  Braincrd  desig-ned  again  to 
mount  the  '  block'  in  the  market-house,  I  determined  to  g'O 
to  'the  reg'ions  below'  and  hear  him. 

"  I  have  often  heard  Dr.  Braiiierd  preach  in  his  own 
church,  and  much  admired  his  bold,  vigorous,  energetic 
style  ;  yet  I  am  half  inclined  to  believe,  with  some  of  the 
doctor's  own  congregation,  that  '  Jie  preaches  better  in  the 
market  than  in  his  own  pulpit  at  home.' 

"  But  I  apprehend  the  cause  of  any  apparent  change  in 
the  preaching  lies  less  in  the  pastor  than  in  the  people. 
Keed  it  create  surprise  that  a  mortal  man  should  grow  a 
little  tired  of  constantly  preaching  eloquent  sermons  to  a 
listless  congregation  ?  In  the  market-house  the  congrega- 
tion is  entirely  new.  It  is  a  mixed  multitude  drawn 
together  from  their  various  pastimes  and  recreations  and 
Sabbath  desecrations.  The  preacher  knows  he  may  never 
see  his  hearers  again,  and  he  must  address  them  on  the 
most  vital  points.  The  emergency  calls  out  his  energies, 
and  imparts  to  him  the  inspiration  demanded  by  the 
occasion. 

"  At  the  close  of  the  services  a  young  man  distributed 
Penny  Gazettes  among  the  junior  portion  of  the  audience, 
while  an  elder  of  the  church  dealt  out,  '  without  money  and 
without  price,'  to  those  further  advanced  in  life,  a  variety 
of  religious  newspapers." 

Mr.  Brainerd's  brother-in-law  settled  on  Martha's  Vine- 
yard in  1851,  and  from  this  time  the  island  became  one 
of  his  frecjuent  and  favorite  resorts  in  his  summer  vaca- 
tions. The  pure  air,  the  sea-breeze,  the  primitive  sim- 
plicity of  the  place  and  the  people,  united  to  their  New 
England  shrewdness,  gave  the  place  a  peculiar  charm  for 
him.  He  never  failed  to  find  materials  for  interest  and 
improvement  in  these  visits. 

His  first  observation  of  the  remarkable  honesty  and 
morality  of  this  place  was  on  board  the  little  steamer 


234        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

which  made  veg-ular  trijis  from  New  Bedford  to  the  island 
every  other  day,  returning  on  alternate  days.  On  a  table, 
in  the  cabin,  was  a  l)asket  of  fruit,  and  another  of  confec- 
tionery, with  the  price  labeled  on  each  article,  and  beside 
tliem  a  small  box  of  change,  containing  five,  ten,  and 
twenty-five  cent  pieces,  where  every  passenger  was  at 
liberty  to  go  down  and  help  himself,  making  the  change 
from  this  small,  independent,  unofficered,  and  un watched 
bank,  and  selecting  such  fruit  and  candies  as  he  pleased, 
for  himself  and  family.  The  captain  told  Mr.  Brainerd  he 
found  the  trafiic  profitable,  and  had  no  reason  to  suspect  a 
single  case  of  fraud  or  dishonesty. 

There  is  not  a  drop  of  intoxicating  liquor  of  any  kind 
sold  on  the  island  in  any  of  its  four  towns,  and  the  ''jaiV 
is  a  decayed,  empty,  fabulous  relic  of  other  days,  unoccu- 
pied in  the  memory  of  the  "  oldest  inhabitant." 

It  is  well  known  that  a  mammoth  Methodist  camp- 
meeting  is  held  here  annually,  in  the  summer,  gathered 
from  the  States  of  Rhode  Island  and  Massachusetts.  We 
will  not  venture  to  say  that  when  the  people  from  the 
"main,''''  as  the  islanders  term  the  main  land,  come  over 
to  attend  this  meeting,  no  rogues  are  ever  found  among 
them.  But  the  whole  population  of  the  island  organize 
themselves  into  a  police  force,  and  keep  their  eve  upon 
every  suspicious-looking  fellow  who  lands  on  their  shores, 
and  this  vigilance  committee  never  lose  sight  of  him  until 
they  see  him  safely  off  again. 

The  attempt  has  been  repeatedly  made  to  smuggle  in 
some  varieties  of  alcoholic  poison,  for  the  use  of  the 
visitors  to  the  camp-meeting;  but  a  mysterious  knowledge 
of  the  fact  seems  to  be  communicated  to  the  islanders,  and 
the  fishing  smack  containing  the  precious  contraband  cargo 
is  quietly  boarded  by  a  few  resolute  men,  and  the  costly 
beverage  poured  out  as  a  libation  to  the  fishes,  it  being 
wisely  judged  that  when  well  mixed  with  the  waters  of 


"A   SWORD   IN  GOOD  ITANDS."  235 

Buzzard's  Bay  it  will  not  be  fatally  injurious  even  to  the 
finny  occupants  of  that  fine  harbor. 

On  one  of  these  visits  to  the  Vineyard,  Mr.  Brainerd 
found  his  brother  waiting*  with  his  carriage  at  "  the 
Landing-,"  to  carry  him  and  his  family  to  his  residence, 
at  West  Tisbury,  seven  miles  distant.  There  was  not 
room  in  the  veliicle  fur  the  baggage,  and  ^Ir.  Brainerd 
inquired,  with  some  concern,  what  should  be  done  with  it. 
"  Leave  it  here,"  replied  Mr.  W.,  "until  I  can  send  down 
for  it."  "But  it  may  be  stolen,"  said  Mr.  Brainerd  ;  upon 
which  his  brother  indulged  in  an  uncontrollable  burst  of 
laughter  at  the  idea  of  anything  being  stolen  from  Martha's 
Vineyard.  As  the  carriage  drove  off,  Mr.  Brainerd  cast 
an  unbelieving,  rueful  look  at  the  two  trunks  left  alone  on 
the  wharf,  and  was  only  reassured  when  three  hours  later 
they  were  safely  delivered  to  their  owner. 

While  driving  to  West  Tisbury,  Mr.  W.  stated  that  a 
peddler  from  New  Bedford,  with  a  valuable  load  of  fancy 
wares,  broke  his  wagon  on  the  road  some  miles  from  any 
dwelling.  He  led  his  horse  to  the  nearest  town,  put  up 
for  the  night,  as  it  was  toward  evening,  and  in  the  morn- 
ing took  over  the  materials  for  mending  his  wagon, 
and  went  on  his  mission  as  safely  as  if  no  accident  had 
occurred. 

W^e  give  another  incident  of  this  visit,  which  Mr. 
Brainerd  published  after  his  return  to  Philadelphia,  as  a 
further  illustration  of  the  place  and  the  people. 

"A  Sword  in  Good  Hands. 

"In  the  month  of  August  last,  1  spent  two  weeks  on 
the  pleasant  Island  of  Martha's  Vineyard,  Mass.  It  is 
the  custom  of  the  Methodists  to  hold  a  '  camp-meeting' 
annually,  in  a  grove,  in  the  northeastern  part  of  the  island, 
where  from  six  to  twelve  thousand  usually  attend,  froni 
Boston,  Providence,  New  Bedford,  etc.     It  so  happened 


236        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,   D.D. 

that  this  camp-meeting  was  in  progress  while  I  was  in  the 
neighborhood,  and  I  spent  part  of  two  days  very  pleasantly 
in  listening  to  my  Methodist  brethren,  to  whom  I  lent,  as 
I  was  able,  a  helping  hand. 

"  To  reach  the  meeting  1  was  obliged  to  travel  from  my 
temporary  residence  eleven  miles  over  a  plain,  mostly 
covered  with  scrub  oaks,  and  where  the  road  was  barely 
the  width  of  the  carriage.  For  perhaps  one  mile  and  a 
half  of  the  distance,  oaks  of  a  larger  size  had  so  extended 
their  branches  as  constantly  to  thrash  the  sides  of  the 
carriage  and  put  the  eyes  of  passengers  in  peril.  As 
the  road  was  little  traveled,  except  in  camp-meeting 
times,  no  one  had  taken  pains  to  lop  off  the  troublesome 
branches. 

"  On  my  second  visit  to  the  meeting,  I  had  entered  with 
a  single  carriage  upon  this  oak  plain  accompanied  by  a 
lady  friend  and  her  young  daughter,  when  I  saw,  about 
twenty  rods  before  me,  a  gleaming  sword  flashing  over  the 
track,  as  if  it  was  in  the  hands  of  a  strong  man,  laying 
about  him  in  deadly  strife.  I  was  startled.  The  vision  was 
right  in  the  track,  and  there  was  no  turn-out  possible.  It 
was  in  the  forest,  miles  from  any  human  habitation.  I 
had  no  means  of  defense,  and  my  companions  needed  pro- 
tection. As  I  drew  near  I  could  see  the  form  of  a  stalwart 
man,  striking  at  some  object  as  if  in  desperation.  Nothing 
could  be  done  but  to  go  on.  I  first  said,  '  It  is  a  drunken 
man  !'  But  then  I  remembered  that,  by  the  grace  of  God 
and  the  temperance  reform,  there  was  not  a  grog-sliop  nor 
a  drunkard  in  Duke's  County,  Massachusetts.  The  man 
could  not  be  drunk.  I  said, '  Is  it  a  highwayman  ?'  There 
never  was  such  a  man  on  the  island.  I  said,  '  Can  it  be 
possible  that  some  maniac  has  escaped  his  keepers,  and 
gone  out  with  a  reckless  thirst  for  blood  V  Where  every- 
body knows  everybody,  as  is  the  case  on  the  island,  this, 
if  possible,  was  not  probable.     These  thoughts  flashed 


PLACES   OF  SUMMER   RESORT.  237 

through  my  mind  on  the  moment,  but  loft  no  absolute  fear 
to  lead  me  to  check  my  horse.  I  soon  came  up  to  the 
startling  apparition  ;  and  behold,  I  recognized  the  colored 
servant  of  the  worthy  Captain  Cleaveland,  a  retired  whal- 
ing-master, who,  having  in  "Valparaiso  found  the  man  in 
poverty  and  distress,  had  brought  him  home  and  made 
him  the  faithful  hired  servant  of  a  just  and  considerate 
master.  The  man,  having  obtained  leave  to  go  to  camp- 
meeting,  was  dressed  in  his  best  suit,  and,  though  he  had 
eleven  miles  to  walk  himself,  had  procured  the  captain's 
old  cutlass,  and  giving  it  a  keen  edge,  was  engaged  in 
lopping  off  the  oak  branches  that  troubled  persons  in  car- 
ringes.  Do  you  wonder  that  my  heart  Avarmed  toward  a 
philanthropist  employed  in  a  voluntary  work,  so  humble 
indeed,  but  so  dixintere)iledbj  benevolent'^  I  cried  out  to 
him  as  I  approached,  'Haa  the  millennium  come?  I  see 
you  are  ^iHing  a  spear  for  a  j^runing-hoo/c.  I  wiifh  no 
sword  ivas  ecer  \oorse  employed.''  He  gave  me  a  smile 
and  a  bow,  and  went  on  with  his  work  with  the  cheerful- 
ness of  one  conscious  that  he  was  doing  good,  but  not 
ambitious  of  praise.  I  doubt  not  he  received  a  blessing 
at  the  camp-meeting,  as  a  '  doei-''  as  well  as  '  hearer  of  the 
word.'  I  gave  him  a  mite  as  a  token  of  my  gratitude  ; 
and,  that  so  good  a  deed  shall  not  fail  to  be  set  forth  as 
an  example,  I  have  sketched  the  whole  scene,  that  this 
hero  of  the  oak  plain  may  have  the  wreath  to  which  he  is 
entitled." 

The  Island  of  Martha's  Vineyard,  in  the  east,  and  the 
beautiful  valley  of  the  Housatonic,  in  the  western  part  of 
JNIassachusetts,  became  rivals  in  Mr.  Brainerd's  regard 
as  places  of  summer  resort,  and  he  gratified  his  partiali- 
ties by  visiting  them  in  alternate  seasons.  The  hills  of 
Columbia  and  Uerkshire  Counties,  on  either  side  of  the 
river,  where,  for  more  than  a  century,  had  been  located  the 

21 


238        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAIXERD,  D.D. 

homestead  of  family  relatives,  aflFonled  the  most  abundant 
materials  of  interest,  in  their  varied  scenery;  while  the 
cultivated  societ}^  of  its  clustered  towns  supplied  equal 
social  attractions. 

In  the  summer  of  1862,  Mr.  Brainerd  happened  to  be 
on  a  visit  to  Canaan,  Columbia  County,  New  York,  at  the 
time  the  draft  was  levied  for  recruits  to  the  army.  He 
addressed  a  "mass  meeting-''  there,  making  earnest  ap- 
peals to  the  patriotism  of  his  hearers,  with  encouraging 
success. 

Early  in  May,  1855,  Mr.  Brainerd  received  a  letter  from 
the  Secretary  of  the  American  Bible  Society,  with  an 
urgent  request  for  a  speech  at  their  anniversary  in  New 
York,  on  the  10th  instant.  The  apology  g-iven  for  the 
shortness  of  the  notice,  three  days,  was,  "  It  will  not  take 
you  as  long  to  load  as  it  does  some  others." 

His  old  friend,  Mrs.  Judge  Burnet,  of  Cincinnati,  visited 
him  this  spring,  and  insisted  upon  Mr.  Brainerd  returning 
home  with  her.     Writing  from  Cincinnati,  he  says: 

"  We  arrived  here  this  morning  (June  23d),  in  thirty- 
two  hours  from  Philadelphia.  Mrs.  Burnet  bore  the  journey 
as  well  as  she  could  at  thirty  years  of  age. 

"Among  the  pleasant  acquaintances  on  the  way  was 
Governor  Wright,  of  Indiana.  He  was  twelve  years  in 
Congress.  He  is  an  out-and-out  old-fashioned  Western 
man ;  he  said  he  had  no  hopes  from  any  party  politics, 
but  he  believed  that  individual  industry,  temperance,  re- 
ligion, and  intelligence  were  the  only  hope  of  the  country. 
He  is  to  deliver  the  address  before  the  New  York  Agri- 
cultural Society  next  fall,  and  says  he  will  call  upon  me 
in  Philadelphia,  and  make  a  speech  to  my  Sabbath- 
school." 

Governor  Wright  redeemed  this  promise,  and  made  an 
interestin"-  address  to  the  children  when  he  came  East. 


INCREASE   OF  SALARY.  239 

"June  28th,  1855. 

*****"  On  Tuesday  I  went  clown 
to  Xorth  Bend,  and  spent  half  a  day  with  my  old  friend, 
Mrs.  General  Harrison.  She  was  very  glad  to  see  me, 
and  thanked  me  many  times  for  calling.  She  is  still  in  the 
'  log-cabin,''  which  is  furnished  as  plainly  as  the  house  of 
any  farmer  in  Ohio." 

In  September,  1855,  Mr.  Brainerd  accompanied  his  son 
to  New  Haven,  who  joined  the  Freshman  Class  of  Yale 
College  at  this  time.  He  said  that  he  could  give  him  no 
fortune  except  a  thorough  education,  which  no  reverses 
could  depreciate  or  take  from  him.  The  sacrifices  to  ac- 
complish this  were  only  such  as  thousands  of  clergymen 
have  cheerfulh'^  endured  for  their  children,  and  became,  if 
not  a  pleasure,  at  least  a  source  of  satisfaction. 

He  sold  his  horse  and  buggy,  and  rented  his  stable  for 
a  year,  which  added  about  four  hundred  dollars  to  the 
year's  income.  At  the  expiration  of  the  year,  feeling  the 
need  of  his  accustomed  exercise,  which  he  regarded  as 
essential  to  his  life,  he  purchased  another  horse.  But  he 
never  again  had  the  money  to  appropriate  for  a  carriage  of 
an}'  kind,  and  never  after  this  possessed  one.  His  horses, 
though  famous  and  historic,  were  not  of  the  most  expen- 
sive kind,  while  his  ownership  and  attachment  invested 
them  with  many  perfections.  One  of  them,  a  blooded 
English  horse,  had  been  a  noble  animal,  but  was  injured 
by  overtrotting.  With  the  considerate  care  he  received, 
he  served  Mr.  Brainerd  faithfully  for  fifteen  years,  and 
was  then  given  to  a  Quaker  farmer,  on  condition  of  gentle 
usage,  and  a  burial  in  his  skin  and  shoes  when  his  useful 
life  should  terminate. 

The  following  February,  the  Trustees  of  Pine  Street 
Church  voted  an  addition  of  five  hundred  dollars  to  Mr. 
Brainerd's  salary.     This  was  not  realized  until  the  next 


240        LIFE   OF  REV.  THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

quiirter,  tlio  payniciit  dating-  from  May,  185fi.  This  iiiucli- 
needed  relief  was  duly  appreciated.  It  was  the  twentieth 
3"ear  of  his  pastoral  labor  in  Pine  Street  Church,  and  his 
salary,  which  had  Ijcen  heretofore  two  thousand  dollars, 
was  from  tliis  period  two  thousand  five  hundred. 

Mr.  Brainerd  was  again  a  delegate  to  the  General  As- 
sembly, which  met  in  the  City  of  New  York  in  18.56. 

By  way  of  apolog}^  for  the  brevity  of  a  letter  home, 
dated  May  18th,  185G,  he  says:  "I  have  used  what 
strength  I  had  in  the  Assembly,  and  could  not  endure  the 
sight  of  a  pen.  1  lean  against  a  jJoat  and  make  some 
speeches." 

It  became  such  a  habit  with  him  to  select  a  seat  near  a 
post  for  its  support,  under  the  vertigo  which  he  often 
experienced  when  speaking,  that  one  of  his  ministerial 
brethren  said  to  him,  playfully,  as  they  entered  the  house 
together,  "Every  man  to  his  post/" 

The  nervous  aversion  to  writing,  which  resulted  from 
his  physical  peculiarities,  prevented  him  from  pursuing 
literary  labors  beyond  the  actual  necessities  which  his 
profession  forced  upon  him. 

When  the  Presbyterian  Quarterly  lieview  was  estab- 
lished in  Philadelphia,  in  the  year  1852,  he  felt  his  ob- 
ligations, as  one  of  the  associate  editors,  to  contribute 
occasionally,  as  he  was  able,  to  its  pages,  during  the  ten 
3'ears  in  which  Dr.  Wallace  conducted  the  work.  It  so  hap- 
pened that  the  opening  and  closing  articles  of  this  period 
were  from  his  pen.  The  first,  defining  the  position  of  the 
New  School  branch  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  the 
demands  for  the  Revieio,  was  entitled  "  Our  Church  and 
Our  Review."  The  closing  article  of  the  tenth  volume 
was  the  memorial  tribute  to  Rev.  Benj.  J.  Wallace,  in 
October,  1862.  He  wrote  several  other  articles,  among 
which  was  a  Sketch  of  tlie  Character  and  Public  Life  of 
Daniel  Webster,  written  in  December,  1852;  and  in  the 


LITERARY  PUBLICATIONS.  241 

spring  of  1860,  amid  the  fearful  apprehensions  which  shook 
the  nation,  he  wrote  an  article  entitled  "  Wiro  is  Responsi- 
ble FOR  THE  PRESENT  SLAVERY  AGITATION  ?" 

At  the  earnest  solicitation  of  Dr.  Win.  B.  Sprague, 
of  Albany,  Mr.  Brainerd  wrote  a  memorial  sketch  of  Re\^. 
James  Patterson  in  1857,  and  one  of  Dr.  Arteinus  Bal- 
lard the  same  year,  for  the  "Annals  op  the  American 
Pulpit." 

He  published  twenty  sermons  in  pamphlet  during  his 
ministry  in  Philadelphia,  and  a  still  larger  number  in  the 
newspaper  press — all  of  them  by  solicitation,  or  through 
the  agency  of  "  Reporters,"  on  occasions  of  public  interest. 

His  contributions  to  the  daily  and  weekly  press  on  mis- 
cellaneous topics  of  moral  or  political  bearing  were  too 
man}^  to  be  specified  or  collected.  These  were  what  he 
called  ''hoeing  ahurt  I'ows,^'  which  he  found  time  to  do  in 
the  intervals  of  his  more  laborious  duties. 

His  early  habits  as  an  editor,  his  interest  in  the  current 
topics  of  the  day,  and  his  convictions  of  the  superior  ad- 
vantages of  the  newspaper  press  for  reaching  the  public 
mind,  led  him  to  prefer  this  mode  of  publication  to  every 
other.  His  love  for  newspapers  was  one  of  his  ruling  pns- 
sions.  Not  satisfied  with  ten  or  twelve  daily  in  his  own 
house,  he  was  a  regular  reader  at  the  Athenaeum,  where  he 
could  glance  over  thirty  and  forty  a  day  from  every  part 
of  the  country. 

This  was  accomplished  so  rapidly  that  it  was  difficult  to 
note  the  time  appropriated  to  it  ;  yet  every  fact  worth  re- 
membering, thus  hastily  gathered,  was  as  securely  pre- 
served in  his  memory  as  in  the  newspaper  files  themselves. 

The  only  work  which  claimed  the  dignity  of  a  book  was 
"  The  Life  of  Rev.  Jolin  Brainerd,"  published  in  18G5,  to 
which  reference  will  be  made  hereafter. 

The  summer  of  1857  was  marked  by  a  number  of  pleas- 
ant events.     The  friend  of  his  early  youth,  Mr.  Wait  Tal- 

21* 


242        I^IFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

cott,  residing  in  Rockfovd,  Illinois,  made  him  a  visit  with 
his  wife  and  little  son,  six  years  of  age.  While  in  Phila- 
delphia, the  little  boy  was  greatl}^  distressed  by  seeing  the 
dogs  in  the  street  muzzled.  It  was  explained  to  him  that 
this  law  was  one  of  kindness  to  the  dogs,  for  without  this 
precaution  they  would  all  be  killed.  The  little  fellow 
mused  over  this  statement  for  some  minutes,  and  then 
said,  "  In  Illinois,  where  I  live,  the  people  are  mostly 
good — they  doiiH  kill  dogs  f' 

When  Mr.  Talcott  left  Philadelphia  to  visit  his  brother 
in  Jersey  City,  he  agreed  to  join  Mr.  Brainerd  again  in 
August,  at  the  Catskill  Mountain  House.  Several  mem- 
bers of  Pine  Street  Church  were  there,  who  persuaded 
Mr.  Brainerd  to  make  a  week's  sojourn  with  them,  while 
his  church  was  undergoing  repairs. 

The  entire  release  from  professional  labor  during  these 
two  months,  together  with  the  social  interest  of  the  circle 
of  friends  gathered  at  the  "  Mountain  House,"  the  won- 
derful romance  and  beauty  of  the  place,  the  decided  phys- 
ical improvement  gained  during  the  summer,  all  contrib- 
uted to  make  it  a  season  of  unusual  enjoyment. 

On  Sunday  morning  Mr.  Brainerd  preached  in  the  large 
l)arlor  of  the  "  Mountain  House."  The  room  was  well 
tilled.  Among  the  guests  was  Mrs.  James  Parton  ("  Fanny 
Fern"),  with  her  husband  and  two  daughters. 

She  thus  heralds  this  occasion  in  the  New  York 
Ledger: 

"  Sunda}^  at  the  Catskills!  'There  is  no  church  here,' 
said  one.  'No  church?'  W^hat  human  hand  could  span 
an  arch  like  yonder  blue  vault?  W4iat  pillars  could  it 
frame  beautiful  as  those  shapely  trees  ?  What  carpet 
weave  equal  to  that  dew-bespangled  moss?  What  choir 
more  perfect  than  those  untutored  birds,  singing  for  very 
joy  that  God  is  so  good  and  his  earth  so  fair  ? 


HISTORY  OF  riNE  STREET  CIIURCTL  243 

"  '  Service  in  the  public  parlor  at  eleven  ;'  so  the  land- 
lord informed  us.  'Heaven  trraut,'  said  I,  'that  the 
preacher  may  utter  no  discord  amid  all  this  harmony  of 
nature.'  So  I  took  my  seat  among  the  worshipers — young 
and  old,  sick  and  well,  grave  and  gay— with  creeds  as 
various  as  their  places  of  birth,  or  the  lineaments  of  their 
faces,  and  some  with  no  creeds  at  all.  IIow  shall  the 
preacher  say  a  fitting  word  to  all  these  ? 

"  I  am  happy  to  say  that,  in  my  opinion,  he  did  it ;  that 
not  one  word  would  I  have  had  erased  or  changed  ;  that 
I  could  conceive  of  no  one  present  who  could  object  to  the 
sincere,  fair,  and  loving  exposition  of  gospel  truth,  which, 
like  another  'Sermon  on  the  Mount,'  will,  I  trust,  long  be 
remembered. 

"I  have  now  an  added  reason  for  liking  Philadelphia 
and  its  people  since  having  listened,  on  that  lovely  Sab- 
bath morning,  to  Rev.  Dr.  Brainerd  ;  since  having  made, 
also,  at  the  Cat.'^kills,  the  acquaintance  of  other  agreeable 
Philadelphians."  *  ***** 

Pine  Street  Church  is  the  oldest  Presbyterian  church 
building  in  Philadelphia.  The  lot  on  which  it  stands,  with 
the  surrounding  grave-yard,  was  granted  to  the  congrega- 
tion by  the  Penn  proprietors,  in  1T()4.  Built  Ijefore  the 
Revolution,  it  is  of  course  located  in  the  old  section  of  the 
city.  Its  architecture  was  of  the  plain,  simple  style  be- 
longing to  that  period.  As  the  city  extended  its  limits 
north  and  west,  the  more  prosperous  young  families  of 
the  church  were  continually  removing  to  the  newer  and 
more  fashionable  portion  of  the  town.  Knowing  how 
readily  the  young  are  attracted  by  external  beauty  and 
style,  Mr.  Brainerd  realized  the  importance  of  keeping  his 
church  up  with  the  progress  of  the  times.  He  urged  upon 
the  congregation  the  duty  of  so  remodeling  the  church  as 
to  meet  the  tasteful  demands  of  the  age.   For  two  or  three 


244        LIFE  OF  REV.  THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

years  this  subject  burdened  bis  mind,  before  he  could  brin,i^ 
his  people  up  to  his  views.  The  older  class  were  attached 
to  the  antiquity  of  the  building,  and  insisted  that  it  was 
"good  enough  for  them,"  as  it  had  been  for  their  fathers. 
After  three  years  of  persistent  labor,  Mr.  Brainerd  finally 
induced  the  congregation  to  engage  in  quite  extensive 
alterations.  These  were  commenced  in  August,  1857; 
and  when  Mr.  Brainerd  returned  home  early  in  September, 
the  basement  rooms  of  the  church  were  finished,  and  the 
services  were  resumed  and  held  in  the  lecture-room. 

The  upper  part  of  the  church  was  opened  for  service  on 
the  25th  of  October,  1857. 

The  improvement  in  the  church  edifice  cost  $11,500,  all 
of  which  was  promptly  paid  b}^  voluntary  subscriptions 
within  a  single  year ;  fifteen  hundred  and  fourteen  dollars 
of  this  amount  was  collected  by  Mr.  Brainerd  from  friends 
outside  of  the  congregation.  The  alteration  was  chiefly 
confined  to  the  exterior  of  the  church,  modernizing  and 
changing  its  whole  appearance.  The  congregation  designed 
to  make  an  equally  thorough  renovation  the  following  year 
of  the  interior,  but  the  financial  embarrassments  which 
begun  in  1857,  and  accumulated  through  successive  years, 
hindered  the  fulfillment  of  this  purpose.  The  civil  war 
which  broke  out  in  18G1,  delayed  the  work  to  a  still  later 
date ;  and  not  until  the  necessit}^  was  forced  upon  them 
by  the  settlement  of  a  new  pastor,  in  18G7,  was  it  finally 
accomplished.  For  the  last  ten  years  of  his  ministry  Mr. 
Brainerd  was  impressed  with  the  idea  that  his  work  was 
nearly  finished,  and  said  it  was  his  dearest  wish  to  leave 
Pine  Street  Church  in  the  highest  condition  of  prosperity. 
He  represented  to  his  people  the  difficulties  they  would 
meet  in  securing  such  a  pastor  as  they  needed,  without 
first  making  the  church  as  attractive  as  possible,  and  the 
embarrassments  under  which  a  stranger  would  labor  in 
securing  the  pecuniary  means  for  these  improvements.   Cir- 


ANDOVER   THEOLOGICAL   SEMINARY.  245 

cumstanccs  provod  more  absolute  than  these  arguments, 
arid  the  evil  he  foresaw  came  upon  them.  It  was,  liowever, 
bravely  met  and  overcome,  although  at  double  the  pecu- 
niary cost  which  would  have  belonged  to  the  earlier  season. 
The  congregation  expended  over  $15,000  in  18G7,  in  car- 
r3-ing  out  the  improvements  projected  ten  years  before  at 
an  estimate  of  $7000. 

Mr.  Brainerd  believed  tliat  every  church  needed  reju- 
venating once  in  twenty  years  at  least,  to  keep  the  young 
ill  complacent  sympathy  with  their  home  sanctuary,  and  to 
give  the  rising  generation  the  opportunity  to  identify  them- 
selves with  their  church  by  actual  labor  and  sacrifice. 

About  this  time,  1857,  Mr.  Brainerd  published  a  short 
historical  sketch  of  Pine  Street  Church,  in  the  course  of 
which  he  spoke  of  his  predecessor.  Dr.  Archibald  Alex- 
ander,, with  the  affectionate  reverence  he  had  always  cher- 
ished for  his  character.  Soon  after  he  received  a  letter 
from  Bev.  James  W.  Alexander,  in  which  he  says:  "  I  am 
certainly  your  debtor  for  the  manner  in  which  you  have 
written  concerning  my  dear  and  honored  father.  I'  shall 
treasure  up  the  important  fragments  which  you  have 
rescued,  as  additions  to  my  memoir.  Such  things  cause 
me  to  feel  more  deeply  how  great  are  our  common  in- 
terests and  experience,  and  how  trifling  the  points  about 
which  we  difler." 

The  semi-centennial  anniversary  of  Andover  Theologi- 
cal Seminary  was  celebrated  in  August,  1858,  at  Andover, 
Mass.  The  authorities  of  the  institution  issued  a  general 
invitation  to  all  the  Alumni,  and  about  two  hundred  and 
fifty  clergymen  responded  to  the  call.  Mr.  Brainerd  was 
one  of  a  committee  of  four,  including  Dr.  John  G.  Owen, 
Edwards  A.  Park,  and  J.  Q.  A.  Edgell,  to  call  together  his 
own  class,  which  graduated  in  1831.  The  class  numbered 
fifty  on  leaving  the  seminary,  and  twenty-two  returned, 
after   an   interval   of  twenty-seven  years,  to  greet   each 


246        LIFE  OF  REV.  THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

other  once  more  at  this  slirine  of  early  affections  and 
religious  consecration.  After  engaging  in  prayer,  each 
was  invited  to  recount  the  history  of  the  twenty-seven 
years  gone  by.  Such  a  review  was  full  of  interest  to 
those  who  had  parted  in  the  freshness  of  early  manhood, 
and  now  met  again,  worn  and  gray-haired  men,  with  their 
varied  experience  of  joy  and  sorrow. 

The  political  horizon  this  year  began  to  be  overclouded 
with  unmistakable  tokens  of  the  coming  storm.  Not  fully 
credited  as  yet  at  the  North,  not,  perhaps,  sufficiently 
heeded ;  but  the  defiant,  reckless  spirit  of  the  South  was 
met  by  a  firmer  and  more  resolute  expression  of  public 
sentiment  at  the  North  on  the  "irrepressible"  question  of 
slavery. 

The  public  journals  took  a  higher  ground  of  principle  in 
their  discussions  than  before.  Mr.  Brainerd's  sympathies 
were  especially  drawn  toward  the  articles  of  Dr.  Court- 
land  Van  Eenssalaer,  on  slavery,  in  the  Presbyterian 
3Tagazine,  insomuch  that  he  was  led  to  assure  him  by 
letter  of  his  earnest  approval  of  his  views.  He  received 
the  following  reply  from  Dr.  Yan  Renssalaer,  a  few  days 
after : 

"Dec.  11th,  1858. 

"Rev.  and  dear  Sir: 

"  I  received,  with  a  great  deal  of  satisfaction,  your  fra- 
ternal letter,  expressing  your  approbation  of  my  articles 
on  slavery  in  reply  to  Dr.  Armstrong.  It  is  not  often 
that  I  care  for  man's  judgment,  one  way  or  the  other,  pro- 
vided I  think  that  I  am  clearly  right ;  but,  on  this  great 
and  intricate  question  of  slavery,  I  confess  that  many 
anxieties  have  come  across  my  mind,  and  that  I  have 
been  even  solicitous  to  know  what  opinion  good  and  wise 
men  entertain  of  my  views.  Your  letter  has  cheered  me. 
It  is  strong  testimony  from  one  who  has  examined  the 
subject,  felt  its  perplexities,  and  is  able  to  form  an  opinion 


ULTRA  ISM  IN  THE  SOUTH.  247 

worth  having  to  the  loriter.  Please  to  accept  my  thanks 
for  communicating  with  me  on  the  subject,  and  for  encour- 
aging mc  in  the  hard  work  I  have  had  to  encounter. 

"  As  regards  the  South,  there  have  been  fearful  signs 
of  ultraism  in  the  political  world,  even  to  the  revival  of 
the  slave-trade,  and  to  the  persecution  of  individuals  for 
their  private  opiinions  in  opposition  to  extremes.  This 
ultraism  has  threatened  an  invasion  into  the  church. 
Thank  God  1  our  testimony  of  1818  remains  unimpaired, 
and  can  never  he  altered.  Our  own  church  in  the  South 
(0.  S.)  has  been  slightly  aflfected,  I  fear,  by  the  prevailing 
change  in  public  sentiment,  but  I  do  not  think  that  many 
have  left  the  old  ground  occupied  by  the  fathers,  and  that, 
after  a  little  reflection,  even  these  will  return  to  the  old 
belief. 

"  Again  thanking  you  for  your  sympathy  and  the  kind 
expression  of  your  approbation, 

"  I  am  yours  fraternally, 

"  C.  Yan  Rensselaer. 

"Rkv.  T.  Braixeup,  D.D." 


CHAPTER    XII. 

JOHN    BROW'N — THE    WAR. 

DURING  the  intense  excitement  wliich  attended  the  trial 
and  e.xecution  of  "  John  Brown,"  of  Ossawatomie,  the 
Avriter  sent  to  the  American  Presbyterian  the  narrative  of 
the  Scottish  martyr,  "  Jo7?,u  i??*OM;?i,"  whom  Claverhouse 
shot  with  his  own  hand  because  he  refused  to  betray  the 
place  of  concealment  of  one  of  the  persecuted  ministers  of 
the  gospel,  among  the  Covenanters,  for  whom  Claverhouse 
was  searching.  The  piece  concluded  with  the  quaint  epi- 
taph : 

"  Clavers  might  murder  godly  Brown, 
But  could  not  rob  him  of  his  crown." 

To  this  thrilling  story  of  Professor  Wilson's  was  simply 
added  the  following  paragraph  : 

"  The  courts  of  Virginia  and  Gov.  Wise  may  execute 
John  Brown  ;  but  there  will  be  another  monument  erected, 
and  another  century  couplet  thereon  inscribed  : 

'Although  you  murder  godly  Brown, 
You  cannot  rob  him  of  his  crown  !' 

And  his  death  may  '  light  such  a  fire''  in  our  land  as  will 
never  be  extinguished  until  the  principles  of  true  liberty 
enlighten  the  nation.  As  truly  as  '  the  blood  of  the  martyrs 
is  the  seed  of  the  church,'  so  surely  will  the  blood  of  free- 
men be  the  well-spring  of  libert}^ !  '  He  that  is  higher  than 
the  highest  regardeth  it;'  and  we  deal  with  One  v)ho  does 
not  settle  accounts  in  December.''*- 

*  Jolin  Erown  was  executed  December  2d,  1S59. 
(248) 


JOHN  BROWN.  249 

Mr.  Brainerd  was  reading  the  article  soon  after  the  paper 
came  in,  when  I  entered  the  room  and  said,  "What  do 
you  think  of  my  contribution  ?" 

"  Did  you  send  this  to  the  paper  ?"  he  replied.  "  It  will 
never  do  to  indorse  John  Brown's  raid  in  this  way." 

"I  have  not  indorsed  it,"  I  answered;  "I  have  only 
implied  that  God  will  indorse  it." 

The  next  morning  Dr.  Houghton  (then  editor  of  the 
American  Presbylerian)  called  at  Dr.  Brainerd's  house, 
as  pale  as  the  paper  on  which  his  journal  was  printed, 
and  said  that  one,  and  another,  and  another,  including 
one  of  the  city  clergymen,  had  called  at  his  office,  and,  in 
"  fear  and  great  wrath,"  peremptorily  ordered  their  paper 
stopped. 

j\lr.  Brainerd  leaned  back  in  his  chair  and  laughed  im- 
moderately, for  him.  But  he  told  Dr.  Houghton  that  he 
would  do  the  best  he  could  to  get  his  wife  and  the  paper 
out  of  this  scrape.  He  wrote  hastily  the  following  explana- 
tory note,  on  his  own  responsibility,  which  was  published 
in  the  next  week's  issue  : 

"  The  article  on  our  first  page  last  week,  entitled  '  John 
Brown,'  w^as  written  by  a  lady  whose  sj'mpathies  have  been 
excited  by  the  prospective  execution  of  a  man  whom  the 
Governor  of  Virginia  has  publicly  pronounced  'brave, 
honest,  and  sincere.'  It  was  far  from  her  intention  to 
justify,  directly  or  indirectly,  the  sanguinary  enterprise  of 
Harper's  Ferry.  She  still  believes  that  true  public  policy, 
as  well  as  a  considerate  charity,  claims  executive  clemency 
for  the  few  surviving  offenders.  The  promotion  of  this  end 
was  tiie  object  of  her  article." 

The  pro-slavery  Chi^istian  Observer  opened  fire  on  the 
unfortunate  paragraph  with  its  heaviest  batteries  ;  rung 
all  manner  of  sarcastic  and  sneering  changes  on  the  phrase 
"  godly  John  Brown,"  which  were  echoed  in  some  of  the 

22 


250        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

secular  papers  as  well  as  in  the  religious  exchanges  from 
other  cities. 

The  Washington  Slar  and  the  Charleston  (S.  C.)  News 
quoted  the  paragraph,  with  comnientsof  Southern  liberality. 

The  Frankfort  (Ky.)  Yeoman  had  an  article,  understood 
to  be  from  the  pen  of  Vice-President  Breckinridge,  con- 
taining the  following  sentence : 

"  If  old  John  Brown  is  executed,  there  will  be  thousands 
to  dip  their  handkerchiefs  in  his  blood  ;  pilgrimages  will  be 
made  to  his  grave,  and  the  blood  of  this  martyr  will  be  as 
seed  to  this  fanatical  church  ;  and  Governor  AVise  will  be 
compared  to  Julian  the  Apostate,  or  Grahame  of  Claver- 
house.'' 

A  few  days  after,  Dr.  Houghton  called  again,  with  a 
terrible  denunciatory  letter  in  his  hand  from  a  Presbyterian 
clergyman  in  Mobile,  dated  Decentber  14th,  1859,  and  fill- 
ing three  pages  of  large  quarto-sized  writing  paper.  Among 
other  things,  the  writer  says : 

"  Tirades  of  abuse,  misrepresentation,  and  falsehood  ap- 
pear daily  in  ever}'  abolition  paper;  the  most  ofi'ensive  of 
which  that  I  have  yet  seen  has  appeared  in  your  columns 
as  a  leader,  on  the  canonization  of  'Godly  John  Brown.' 
I  will  not  be  one  of  the  number  to  sustain  a  paper  in  such 
a  work.  I  will  excuse  you  from  sending  me  your  paper  any 
longer.  If  your  enmity  does  not  extend  so  far  as  to  refuse 
the  balance  due  you,  and  you  will  send  me  your  account, 
the  money  shall  be  forthcoming. 

"  Yours,  etc." 

Dr.  Houghton  was,  at  this  time,  ready  to  join  in  the 
laugh  himself;  he  told  Dr.  Brainerd  that  he  had  gained 
more  subscribers  than  he  had  lost  by  the  article  in  question. 
The  people  were  in  advance  of  the  timid  journals  of  the 
day,  and  hailed  joyfully  every  omen  of  courage. 

The  writer  has  long  since  been  abundantly  compensated 


JOHN  BROWN.  251 

iV)r  the  annoyance  of  this  occasion.     The   "Monument" 
has  been  builded  these  seven  years — 

"  Of  the  great  deeds  of  the  brave  ;" 

and  while 

"John  Brown's  body  lies  mouldering  in  the  grave, 
His  SOUL  is  marching  on  .'" 

The  brave  old  man  was  executed  at  ten  o'clock  a.m., 
on  the  2d  of  December,  1859.  The  colored  people  of 
Philadelphia  observed  the  day  with  fasting  and  prayer — 
called  to  this  service  by  the  ministers  of  their  churches, 
who  invited  them  all  to  meet  at  ten  o'clock  A  M.  "  Pre- 
senting themselves  with  fasting  and  prayer  before  a  God 
of  truth  and  justice,  whom  we  acknowledge  as  the  common 
Father  of  mankind.  That  to  this  ever-living  God  and 
Father  we  may  make  a  united  appeal  that  He  remove  from 
us  the  miseries  of  oppression,  and  from  our  common  country 
its  infatuated  blindness,  its  skeptical  spirit,  and  practical 
atheism  ;  that  repentance  and  pardon  may  be  given  to  the 
black  man  and  white  man  of  this  country ; — to  the  black 
man,  because  he  has  said  in  the  bitterness  of  the  anguish 
of  his  heart,  '  God  has  forgotten  us!'  and  to  the  white  man, 
because  he  has  said  in  the  pride  and  insolence  of  his  heart, 
'There  is  no  God  !' 

"  It  is  the  opinion  of  intelligent  colored  men  in  Phila- 
delphia, that  any  public  demonstrations  of  feeling  in  re- 
gard to  this  matter  are  unwise  and  injudicious,  and  had 
better  be  omitted." 

The  mode  in  which  God  ^^  settled  this  accounV  is  fresh 
in  the  memory  of  every  American.  For  this  oppressed, 
down-trodden,  despised  race,  he  demanded  of  the  flower  of 
a'l  our  sons  nearly  life  for  life! 

"Four  hundred  thousand  men, 
The  good,  the  brave,  the  true. 
Lie  dead — for  me  and  you,  good  friend  ; 
Lie  dead — for  me  and  yod!" 


252        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAIN ERD,  D.D. 

Early  in  May  of  tlie  following-  spring,  ISGO,  Dr.  Lyman 
Beecher  and  Mrs.  Beeeher  made  a  visit  of  some  weeks  to  Dr. 
Brainerd,  the  last  he  was  ever  to  make  on  earth.  The 
cloud  had  befi;'un  to  settle  upon  the  overtaxed  brain  of  the 
nol)le  old  man  ;  but  when  roused  and  interested,  flashes  of 
the  old  fire  broke  out,  with  its  old-time  sparkle  and  humor. 

The  General  Assembly  met  at  Pittsburg  this  spring,  and 
as  Dr.  Brainerd  was  a  delegate,  he  Avas  obliged  to  leave 
home  during  Dr.  Beecher's  visit.  He  told  Dr.  Beecher  that 
the  whole  house  was  at  his  service,  and  to  make  himself 
perfectly  at  home  in  his  absence.  Dr.  Beecher  looked  up 
with  his  benignant  smile  and  replied,  "  I  should  have  done 
that  if  you  hadn't  told  me  !"  On  the  morning  of  his  de- 
parture, he  said,  "I  wish,  doctor,  you  were  going  with 
me,  as  in  time  past.  What  shall  I  tell  the  brethren  for 
you  ?"  "  Tell  them,"  said  Dr.  Beecher,  his  eyes  filling 
with  tears  as  he  spoke,  "  that  /  remember  them  all  and 
love  them  all  P^ 

At  the  June  communion,  this  summer.  Dr.  Brainerd's 
only  daughter  joined  the  church  His  son  had  made  a  pro- 
fession of  religion  three  years  before,  while  a  member  of 
Yale  College,  at  the  commencement  of  his  Junior  year. 

THE  WAR. 

No  man  ever  cherished  a  keener  interest  in  the  political 
questions  which  affected  the  liberties  of  his  country  than 
Dr.  Brainerd.  He  kept  an  anxious  eye  for  years  upon  the 
increasing  aggressions  and  unreasonable  demands  of  the 
South,  and  felt  every  outrage  upon  the  rights  of  free  speech 
and  free  citizenship  throughout  the  Union,  as  really  as 
though  it  concerned  himself  personally.  Still,  he  was  re- 
garded as  a  "conservative"  man,  in  church  and  state, 
and  he  so  realized  the  horrors  of  civil  war,  that  whenever 
it  could  be  done  without  compromising  principle,  he  recom- 


THE    WAR.  253 

menclod  prudential  measures  to  avert  the  threatened  evils 
which  overhung  the  country. 

But  when  the  war  was  forced  upon  us  by  the  half  mad 
and  entirely  bad  leaders  of  the  rebellion,  he  accepted  the 
issue  as  he  would  have  done  a  decree  from  Heaven,  and 
bent  his  whole  soul  to  meet  it.  He  enlisted  for  the  war 
as  truly  as  any  man  who  shouldered  his  musket,  and  never 
intermitted  his  services  until  Lee  surrendered  at  Appo- 
mattox Court  House. 

Those  acquainted  with  Mr.  Brainerd's  nervous  excita- 
bility, will  remember  the  flushed  cheek  and  brow,  the  flash- 
ing, restless  eye,  which  marked  his  appearance  during  these 
four  years  of  fearful  anxiety  and  conflict.  From  the  hour 
when  the  first  gun  was  fired  at  Fort  Sumter,  he  exerted  an 
almost  ubiquitous  influence  in  keeping  up  the  community 
to  the  highest  point  of  sacrifice  and  endurance. 

The  young  men  of  his  congregation  caught  his  enthu- 
siasm, and  on  the  first  call  of  the  President  for  volunteers, 
thirty  enlisted  at  once.  As  the  exigency  and  the  demand 
increased,  the  supply  increased,  untiJ  one  hundred  and 
thirty  young  men  connected  with  his  church  and  congre- 
gation were  serving  their  country  in  the  army  and  navy. 

While  these  young  men  were  girding  themselves  for  the 
war,^— 

"And  heavy  to  the  ground  the  first  dark  drops  of  battle  fell," — 

Dr.  Brainerd  was  called  to  stand  by  the  coffin  of  Lieutenant 
Joiin  T.  Greble,  who  was  killed  at  Great  Bethel  on  the 
10th  of  June,  1861, — oneof  his  most  beloved  young  friends, 
brought  up  in  his  church  and  Sabbath-school,  and  now 
brought  home  for  burial,  wrapped  in  the  flag  of  his 
country.     Dr.  Brainerd  said  of  him  then  : 

"This  3^oung  man  has  fallen  in  the  beginning  of  the 
conflict  to  preserve  this  countr}'^ — our  Constitution,  our 
prosperity — the  liberty  of  men  everywhere,  from  treason, 


254       LIFE  OF  REV.  THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

anarchy,  aristocratic  oppression  and  final  ruin.  He  died, 
that  his  country  might  not  die.  He  died,  that  the  great 
experiment  of  self-g-overnraent  in  this  land,  which  has 
made  man  everywhere  feel  that  he  was  truly  man,  might 
nut  fail,  to  the  despair  of  humanity  itself  in  all  time  to 
come." 

Two  or  three  weeks  later,  in  July,  Dr.  Brainerd's  only 
son  entered  the  army  as  assistant  surgeon,  and  was 
stationed  in  the  first  United  States  Army  Hospital  opened 
at  Washington,  before  the  battle  of  Bull  Run. 

Amid  these  scenes  of  absorbing  interest.  Dr.  Brainerd 
was  obliged  to  leave  home  to  fulfill  an  engagement  to  make 
an  address  at  the  Quarter  Century  Celebration  of  Knox 
College,  at  Galesburg,  Hlinois.  He  was  urged  to  this  ser- 
vice by  the  Rev.  George  W.  Gale,  the  founder  of  the  col- 
lege, who  was  the  friend  of  his  early  years,  and  with 
whom  he  always  preserved  a  fraternal  intercourse.  A  year 
later,  Dr.  Brainerd  was  called  to  write  a  memorial  sketch 
of  Dr.  Gale,  Avho  died  at  Gale.sburg,  September  13th,  1862, 
which  was  puljlished  in  the  Presbyterian  Almo,nac  iov  ihdX 
year. 

He  reached  Galesburg  on  the  day  of  the  anniversary. 
At  the  close  of  the  commencement  exercises,  on  Thurs- 
day, the  President  introduced  Dr.  Brainerd  to  the*audi- 
ence. 

The  Chicago  Presbyterian  Recorder  thus  speaks  of  his 
address  on  this  occasion  :  "  It  was  a  perilous  undertaking 
to  stand  up  before  a  tired  assembly,  who  had  been  sitting 
already  three  hours,  and  to  attempt  to  hold  them  willing 
listeners  still.  Most  men  in  such  circumstances  would  have 
failed  ;  but  the  doctor  by  a  few  well-told  anecdotes  (and 
he  seems  to  have  one  all  fitted  to  the  place,  and  adapted  to 
every  emergency,  and  no  one  can  tell  a  story  better  than 
he)  soon  put  his  hearers  in  good  humor,  pleased  with 
him,  with  theni.selves,  and  with  the  world  generally. 


A   FOVRTH-OF-JULY  SPEECH.  255 

"Dr.  Brainord  speaks  like  no  other  man;  and  this  ad- 
dress was  a  good  example  of  his  many  excellences.  It 
was  full  of  important  thought,  arranged  in  compact  argu- 
ment, with  apt  and  forcible  illustrations,  and  then  deliv- 
ered in  his  easy  and  yet  impressive  manner.  One  of  his 
hearers,  as  we  passed  out  of  the  house,  said,  '  I  wish  he 
had  kept  on  another  half  hour.'  " 

After  leaving  Galesburg,  Dr.  Brainerd  went  to  Rock 
Island  City,  Illinois,  to  see  the  Jlississijypi ;  from  thence 
to  Toledo,  Iowa,  to  visit  his  brother.  He  writes  from 
Toledo,  July  4th,  ISGl  : 

*  *  *  *  "I  have  attended  a  great 

'  Fourth-of- July '  county  gathering  in  this  place  to-day. 
About  two  thousand  people  were  present,  all  bringing  their 
dinners  and  eating  in  the  grove.  My  speech  gained  three 
cheers  and  a  tiger  ;  so  that  I  am  quite  elated.  It  was  the 
most  curious  Fourth-of-July  celebration  I  have  ever  at- 
tended, and  I  enjoyed  it  very  much.  Xext  Sabbath  I  am 
to  preach  here,  and  on  Monday  I  mean  to  leave  for  home. 
"  I   am  starving  for  war  news,  which  at  home  I  get 

three  times  a  day.     May  God  save  the  country ! 

********* 

"Love  to  all  Pine  Street  Church  from  the  Western 
pilgrim  and  their  friend, 

"  Thomas  Braixerd.'' 

On  the  2Gth  of  December  of  this  year.  Dr.  Brainerd's 
only  daughter  was  married  to  Henry  M.  Boies,  of  Sauger- 
ties,  N.  Y.  The  excitements  of  the  war  at  this  time  ena- 
bled him  to  bear  the  absence  of  his  children  better  than  he 
could  otherwise  have  done. 

When  the  regiments,  which  were  constantly  passing 
through  Philadelphia  to  the  seat  of  war,  landed  at  our 
steamboat  wharves  or  railroad  stations.  Dr.  Brainerd  was 
there  to  cheer  and  encourage  them,  and  share,  so  far  as  he 


256        LIFE   OF  BEV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

■was  able,  in  the  responsibilities  of  our  patriot  citizens.  At 
the  ver}'  coniniencement  of  the  conflict,  when  the  soldiers, 
as  yet  unused  to  long-  marches  and  longer  fasting,  bore 
the  evidence  of  overtaxed  energies,  the  citizens  residing 
in  the  neighborhood  of  their  arrival  and  departure  con- 
tributed every  possil)le  assistance  and  refreshment  to  them. 
All  tlie  day  long  women  baked  bread  and  biscuit  by  the 
bushel  ;  made  coffee  by  the  gallon,  which  they  carried  out 
to  the  troops,  as  they  formed  in  line  on  the  sidewalk. 
These  spontaneous  offerings  suggested  to  a  few  enthusias- 
tic men  the  plan  of  renting  a  boat-house  at  the  foot  of 
AVashington  Avenue,  where  the  soldiers  could  be  fed  with 
more  convenience  and  comfort  than  in  the  public  street. 
The  suggestion  was  acted  upon  at  once  ;  with  rough  boards 
laid  on  supporters  for  tlieir  tables  at  first,  but  rapidly  ac- 
cumulating new  accommodations,  under  the  almost  super- 
human exertions  of  those  engaged  in  the  work,  until  the 
"Union  Volunteer  Refreshment  Saloon"  furnished  to 
sexen  hundred  thousand  men,  going  and  returning  through 
Philadelphia,  as  good  a  meal  as  the}^  could  have  procured 
at  any  well-appointed  hotel.  Comforts,  and  even  luxuries, 
were  daily  added.  The  building  was  enlarged,  with  the 
addition  of  hospital,  bathing-room,  office  for  writing,  fur- 
nished with  stationery  and  postage-stamps  free,  ^  where, 
during  ten  minutes' delav  or  leisure,  the  soldiers  could  mail 
a  letter  to  the  families  they  had  just  left,  and  cheer  them 
with  the  report  of  their  present  comfort.  The  pecuniary 
supplies  for  this  gigantic  provision  rolled  in  with  an  un- 
ebbing  tide,  under  the  energetic  and  unwearied  efforts  of 
the  committee  in  charge.  Furniture  for  the  house  and 
table  were  donated  by  merchants  and  mechanics  until  no- 
thing was  lacking  to  comjilete  the  establishment.  Floored, 
whitewashed,  adorned  with  pictures  and  flags,  brilliantly 
lighted  with  gas,  the  place  glowed  with  the  patriotism,  the 
hope,  and  the  love  which  originated  and  sustained  it. 


UNION   VOLUNTEER  REFRESH3IENT  SALOON.      257 

This  description  is  necessary  because  this  place  became 
to  Dr.  Brainerd  the  palladium  of  his  hopes,  the  theater  of 
his  labors,  and  the  scene,  to  him,  of  many  of  the  most 
thrilling  incidents  of  the  war.  If  ever  discouragement,  or 
doubt  or  fear,  was  gaining  the  ascendency,  in  the  darkest 
days  of  the  rebellion,  a  visit  to  this  place  dispelled  it.  The 
fresh  troops  coming  in,  with  their  fresh  zeal  and  unfalter- 
ing resolution — the  determined  purpose  of  every  one  con- 
nected with  this  institution  to  persevere  to  "the  last  drop 
of  blood  in  every  heart  and  the  last  dollar  in  every  purse," 
nerved  the  hopes  of  the  most  desponding.  Above  all,  he 
here  found  the  full  measure  of  his  own  enthusiasm  met 
and  carried  out  in  a  living  stream  of  patriotic  beneficence. 

Dr.  Brainerd's  admiration  was  unbounded  for  these  dis- 
interested workers,  who,  without  an  emotion  of  selfishness, 
or  a  thought  of  remuneration,  "  enlisted  for  the  war."  They 
stood  at  their  post,  sleeping  and  waking  at  the  "tap  of 
the  drum,"  often  not  seeing  their  own  homes  for  three 
nights  in  succession.  While  one  or  two  failed  under  this 
protracted  labor  and  excitement,  the  enthusiasm  which 
nerved  this  noble  little  band  endowed  them  with  "strength 
equal  to  their  day,"  and  they  lived  to  "  welcome  back"  the 
worn  veterans  of  the  war  with  the  same  hopeful  energy 
which  cheered  them  on  in  the  beginning.  The  exhaustless 
supplies,  from  the  warm  hearts  of  the  citizens  of  Philadel- 
phia, at  the  rate  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  a  day, 
lasted  while  the  rebellion  lasted,  and  the  need  of  the  army 
lasted,  and  wou-kl  have  been  doubled  had  the  need  de- 
manded. 

Dr.  Brainerd  was  not  an  idle  spectator,  contented  with 
the  selfish  enjoyment  of  this  grand  work.  From  its  earliest 
organization  he  endeavored  to  promote  both  its  popular 
reputation  and  its  pecuniary  resources  He  was  connected 
Avith  many  agencies  for  promoting  these  ends ;  at  one  time 
speaking  at  festivals  and  gatherings,  where  the  collections 


258        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

were  designed  foi*  this  "  Saloon,"  and  at  others,  lecturing 
directly  for  the  same  object.  He  was  very  successful  in  his 
appeals  for  money  to  the  wealthy,  patriotic  citizens  of  Pliil- 
adelphia ;  and  while  on  a  visit  to  Washington  he  obtained 
leave  from  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy  to  exhibit  the  rebel 
ram  "Atlanta,"  lying  at  the  Philadelphia  dock,  for  the 
benefit  of  this  Refreshment  Saloon.  Quite  a  handsome 
sum  was  realized  from  this  source.  No  wonder  this  place 
was  a  wholesale  store-house  of  joy  and  hope  for  those  who 
loved  their  country  as  Dr.  Brainerd  did. 

From  memoranda  furnished  by  Saml  B.  Fales,  Esq.,  Cor- 
responding Secretary  of  the  "  Committee"  of  the  "  Union 
Yolunteer  Refreshment  Saloon,"  we  gather  the  following 
items: 

"  Dr.  Brainerd  was  always  called  upon  by  our  Com- 
mittee to  speak  for  us,  and  in  all  our  appeals  for  aid  the 
Committee  always  referred  to  him  as  an  indorser.  He 
was  present,  took  an  active  part,  and  made  an  address  on 
the  occasion  of  laying  the  corner-stone  of  our  little  hos- 
pital, in  September,  1863.  He  also  made  addresses  in 
the  Saloon  at  the  opening  of  two  different  '  fairs'  (18G2  and 
18G3j  held  at  the  Saloon. 

"January  11th  and  April  24th,  1863,  Dr.  Brainerd 
preached  in  the  Saloon.  In  the  early  part  of  the  year  1863 
religious  service  was  held  in  our  building  every  Sunday 
night.  In  May  he  accompanied  the  members  of  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  to  the  Saloon, 
and  made  an  address.  He  said,  '  That  if  every  beam,  post, 
and  lintel  could  speak,  they  would  be  eloquent  in  praise  of 
what  had  been  done  there  in  the  cause  of  Christian  philan- 
thropy and  patriotism.' 

"He  has  often  been  called  upon  to  pray  by  the  bedside 
of  sick  and  dying  soldiers  in  our  hospital,  and  frequently 
attended  their  remains  to  the  grave. 

"  When   tiie    Ladies'    Committee  was  getting   up   the 


UNIOX    VOLUNTEER  REFRESHMENT  SALOON.      959 

second  flonil  fair,  Dr.  Brainerd  gave  thcni  a  letter  of 
introduction  to  Mrs.  Thomas  Latimer,  of  Wilming-ton, 
Pel.,  from  whom  a  liberal  donation  was  received,  both  for 
the  fair  and  the  hospital. 

"Dr.  Brainerd  was  present  and  made  an  address  at  the 
raising  of  the  large  gilt  eagle  over  the  Union  Y.  R.  Saloon, 
January  2d,  1863. 

"  But  it  is  impossible  to  state  what  he  has  done  for  the 
soldiers,  our  Saloon,  and  the  country.  He  teas  ahcayH 
doing  something  for  the  cause  ;  from  the  first  he  identified 
himself  with  our  Committee,  and  felt  a  deep  interest  in 
our  institution,  and  was  always  our  warm  and  steadfast 
friend.  Ho  fully  sympathized  with  us  in  our  efforts  for 
the  comfort  and  refreshment  of  our  brave  soldiers,  and 
cheered  us  on  in  our  pathway  of  duty. 

"January  12th,  1863,  after  a  heavy  snow-storm.  Dr. 
Brainerd  called  at  the  Saloon,  and  handed  in  the  sum  of 
forty  dollars.  This  amount  was  received  by  the  doctor 
through  the  Rev.  Dr.  Eva,  and  was  a  contribution  from 
the  Young  Ladies'  Bible  Class  of  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church,  Kensington.  The  doctor  being  pressed  for  time, 
would  not  dismount,  and  I  was  obliged  to  write  the  re- 
ceipt resting  on  the  shoulder  of  his  horse.  Dr.  Brainerd 
Avas,  from  the  first,  a  constant  visitor,  even  to  tlie  close  of 
our  institution.  Having  commissioned  Mr.  Edward  Moran 
to  paint  for  me  a  series  of  views  of  the  Saloon,  I  called 
ui)on  the  doctor  and  stated  that  as  he  was  identified  with 
our  Saloon,  and  beloved  by  our  Committee,  I  was  exceed- 
ingly anxious  to  introduce  him  and  his  old  horse  in  one  of 
the  pictures,  and  wished  him  to  select  some  pleasant  inci- 
dent connecting  him  with  our  operations.  A  few  days 
afterward  he  informed  me  that  he  had  chosen  the  above- 
mentioned  occurrence,  which  the  artist  has  most  truthfully 
depicted. 

"  Sa>]l.  B.  Fales. 

"  Philadelphia.  Dec.  otli,  ISGC." 


260        LIFE   OF  REV.  THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

"  In  the  four  and  a  half  years  of  their  labors  the  '  Saloon' 
fed  between  eight  and  nine  hundred  thousand  soldiers,  and 
expended  about  100,000  dollars  in  money,  aside  from  sup- 
plies. The  Saloon  hospital  had  during  the  war  nearly 
fifteen  thousand  patients. 

"  The  women  connected  with  these  Saloons,  with  a  pa- 
tience and  fidelity  which  has  nev^er  been  surpassed,  winter 
and  summer,  in  cold  and  heat,  at  all  hours  of  night  as 
well  as  day,  at  the  boom  of  the  signal-gun  hastened  to 
the  Saloons,  and  prepared  those  ample  repasts  which 
made  Philadelphia  the  Mecca  to  which  the  soldier  turned 
longingly  during  his  years  of  army  life.  These  women 
were  accustomed  to  care  for  their  own  households,  and  do 
their  own  work,  and  it  required  no  small  degree  of  self- 
denial  and  patriotic  zeal  on  their  part,  after  a  day  of  the 
housekeeper's  never-ending  toil,  to  rise  from  their  beds  at 
midnight  (for  the  trains  bringing  soldiers  came  oftener  at 
night  than  in  the  daytime)  and  go  through  the  darkness 
or  storm  a  considerable  distance,  and  toil  until  after  sun- 
rise at  the  work  of  cooking  and  dish-washing. 

"  Mrs.  Mary  B.  Wade,  a  widow,  nearly  eighty  years  of 
age,  a  woman  of  remarkable  energy  and  perseverance,  was 
as  constantly  at  her  post,  as  faithful,  and  as  efficient  as  any 
of  the  Executive  Committee  of  the  Saloon.  Suffering  from 
slight  lameness,  she  literally  hobbled  down  to  the  Saloon 
with  a  cane,  by  night  or  day,  but  she  was  never  absent.  She 
is  a  native  of  Philadelphia,  and  tlie  widow  of  a  sea-captain." 

Dr.  Brainerd  learned  that  a  regiment  from  Lewis  County 
was  organized,  under  the  command  of  Col.  Wheelock,  one 
of  his  old  pupils,  and  addressed  to  him  the  following  letter  : 

,    ^         _-,-  "Philadelphia,  Jan.  16th,  18C2. 

"  Col.  Wheelock. 
"Dear  Sir: 
"  A  Jioonville  Herald,  sent  me  by  a  friend,  furnishes  de- 
lightful evidence  of  the  patriotism  of  my  native  region. 


LETTER    TO    COL.    WHEELOCK.  261 

Forty  years  ago,  you  were  my  pupil  in  the  old  school- 
house.  I  claim  some  right,  therefore,  to  congratulate  you 
on  the  confidence  which  has  placed  you  at  the  head  of  the 
brave  men  of  the  Black  River  country  for  a  conflict  the 
most  important  ever  waged  by  man  for  liberty  and  order. 
May  GodhhtiS  you  and  your  regiment! 

"  If  the  North  fails  in  this  contest — if  traitors  are  allowed 
to  kill  our  country  and  break  down  our  Constitution,  men 
hereafter  will  be  afraid  to  attempt  self-government;  and 
tyrants  will  reign  by  the  grace  of  God,  pointing  to  our 
anarchy  as  their  apology  for  putting  chains  on  the  necks 
of  their  subjects.  No  matter  what  it  costs,  we  must  rescue 
our  country  from  peril. 

"My  only  son,  carefully  educated  and  highly  promising, 
is  in  the  field.  He  may  fall ;  if  so,  I  v/l]]  say, — I  had 
rather  have  my  dead  son,  fallen  for  his  country's  salvation, 
than  see  him  an  ingrate  to  the  land  that  gave  him  birth. 
But  I  took  up  my  pen  to  say  that  Philadelphia  has  given 
a  good  meal  to  every  soldier  passing  through  the  city. 
We  have  fed  one  hundred  and  ninety  thousand  already. 
When  your  regiment  comes  I  want  to  be  on  the  spot  to 
give  them  a  word  of  cheer,  as  well  as  a  cup  of  coffee. 

"May  I  ask  you  to  telegraph  me  from  New  York,  or  if 
that  is  not  convenient,  when  3'ou  reach  the  Saloon  in  this 
city,  tell  the  managers  to  let  me  know  you  are  here? 
"With  great  respect,  yours  truly, 

"  Thomas  Brainerd." 

The  evening  this  regiment  was  expected,  Dr.  Brainerd 
waited  at  the  Saloon  until  after  ten  o'clock,  when  a  telegram 
was  received,  stating  that  it  would  be  near  morning  before 
the  regiment  could  reach  the  city.  By  invitation  of  Mr. 
Arad  Barrows,  President  of  the  "  Committee,"  Dr.  Brai- 
nerd went  to  his  house  and  obtained  a  refreshing  sleep  of 
some  hours  before  the  signal-gun  was  fired  announcing 

23 


262        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRATNERD,   D.D. 

the  arrival  of  the  regiment.  He  then  repaired  to  the  Saloon 
to  welcome  his  northern  townsmen.  He  recognized  among 
the  men  a  number  of  acquaintances,  and  a  still  larger  num- 
ber of  them  were  the  sons  of  his  early  friends.  After  talk- 
ing with  them  individually,  he  made  an  address  to  the 
regiment,  to  which  Col.  Wheelock  responded.  This  regi- 
ment did  good  service  for  their  country,  but  the  brave  Col. 
"Wheelock  early  fell  among  the  slain. 

Some  months  later,  Dr.  Brainerd  was  present  at  a  town 
meeting  in  Boonville,  Oneida  County,  New  York,  held  for 
the  purpose  of  enrolling  volunteers.  A  sufficient  sum  was 
subscribed  to  pay  every  volunteer  from  the  town  fifty  dol- 
lars, in  addition  to  all  other  bounties.  Says  the  Boonville 
Herald : 

"  The  business  of  the  meeting  being  thus  disposed  of,  the 
Kev.  Dr.  Brainerd,  of  Philadelphia,  who  is  spending  a  few 
days  in  this  vicinity, — the  Dr.  Brainerd  who  has  so  en- 
deared himself  to  the  heart  of  every  patriot  in  the  land,  by 
his  activity  and  zeal  in  connection  with  that  blessed  asso- 
ciation which  was  formed  in  his  city  soon  after  the  rebel- 
lion broke  out,  whose  mission  is  to  furnish  refreshments  to 
all  the  loyal  soldiers  passing  through  that  city  to  the  seat 
of  w^ar, — then  gave  the  meeting  one  of  the  most  patriotic 
and  soul-stirring  addresses  to  which  it  has  ever  been  our 
good  fortune  to  listen.  When  he  was  about  to  stop  speak- 
ing, the  CT}^,  '  Go  on  !  go  on  !'  came  from  every  part  of  the 
hall.  He  replied,  '  He  could  talk  indefinitely  on  the  sub- 
ject;' and  we  believe  the  audience  Avould  have  sat  and 
listened  an  indefinite  length  of  time  also." 


CHAPTER    XIIT. 

QUARTER    CENTURY    SERMOX    AND    FESTIVAL. 

THE  first  of  February,  1862,  was  the  Quarter  Century 
Anniversary  of  Dr.  Brainerd's  settlement  in  Pine  Street 
Church.  We  make  free  extracts  from  his  sermon  on  this  oc- 
casion, where  it  is  a  review  of  his  work,  or  a  recital  of  the 
events  of  this  period.  The  publication  of  the  sermon  was 
requested  by  members  of  the  cong-regation,  on  the  ground 
that  it  was  a  valuable  document  as  a  part  of  the  history 
of  Pine  Street  Church.  In  complying  with  their  request, 
Dr.  Brainerd  said:  "Under  the  touching  reminiscences  of  a 
quarter  of  a  century,  it  seemed  to  be  a  time  when  a  pastor 
was  allowed  to  speak  more  of  himself  than  good  taste 
would  ordinarily  justify." 

He  preached  from  the  text.  "  Ye  know  from  the  first  day 
that  I  came  into  Asia,  after  what  manner  I  have  been  with 
you  in  all  seasons."    Acts,  xx.  17.* 

"  That  minister  of  the  gospel  must  be  a  pure  and  happy 
man,  who  can  review  years  of  past  labor  without  self-re- 
proach, and  who  can  boldly  appeal  to  his  hearers  to  attest 
his  fidelity.  Paul  enjoyed  this  eminent  satisfaction.  He 
calls  the  elders  of  Ephesus  to  bear  witness  to  the  holiness 
of  his  life,  the  soundness  of  his  doctrines,  the  fearlessness 


*  This  sermon  was  dedicated  to  John  C.  Farr,  Esq.,  the  snle  survivor  of 
the  Board  of  Elders  -who  sanctioned  Mr.  Brainerd's  call  to  Old  Pine 
Street  Church  in  1S36. 

(263) 


204        LIFE   OF  REV.   TIT03fAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

of  his  reproofs,  the  tenderness  of  his  sympathy,  the  encrpry 
of  his  labors,  and  the  fullness  of  his  charity. 

"  Your  pastor  shrinks  from  applying  such  a  test  to  his 
Quarter  of  a  Century  of  service  in  this  sanctuary.  He 
feels  more  like  hiding  his  face  in  the  dust,  and  saying  :  '  I 
have  done  the  things  I  ought  not  to  have  done,  and  have 
left  undone  the  things  I  ought  to  have  done.' 

"But  though  it  is  less  safe  for  themselves,  it  is  equally 
proper  for  modern  ministers  to  appeal  to  the  judgment 
their  hearers  may  pronounce.  If  aljle  to  bear  the  scrutiny, 
they  may  use  it  for  their  comfort.  If  rightly  censured  for 
their  unfaithfulness,  they  need  it  for  their  humiliation, 
penitence,  and  reform. 

"  Standing  before  you  to-day,  at  the  end  of  a  Quarter 
of  a  Century,  I  say:  '  Ye  know  after  what  manner  I  have 
been  with  yoti  in  all  seasons.'  You  have  known  me  from 
youth  to  gray  hairs  ;  you  have  known  my  manner  of  life 
at  home  and  abroad,  in  sickness  and  health,  in  joy  and 
sorrow.  Ye  have  known  me  as  a  neighbor,  citizen,  pastor, 
and  preacher  of  the  gospel.  I  have  been  with  you  in  all 
seasons  ;  in  your  prosperity  and  adversity,  your  sighs  and 
your  songs.  I  have  been  with  some  of  you  from  infancy 
to  manhood ;  and  with  some  of  you  from  manhood  to  old 
age.  At  your  fasts  and  feasts ;  at  your  weddings  and 
3^our  funerals ;  I  have  been  with  you.  You  have  the 
materials  for  judging,  and  you  have  the  right  to  judge 
me ;  and  I  submit  to  your  verdict.  In  saying  this,  I  ap- 
prehend that  I  have  less  to  fear  from  your  severity  than 
your  partiality.  I  shrink  not  so  much  from  the  scrutiny 
of  my  congregation,  as  from  my  own  self-inspection  and 
from  the  searching  eye  of  God. 

"And  on  this  Quarter  Century  Anniversary,  it  is  proper 
to  remind  you,  that  our  relations  are  reciprocal.  I  have 
owed  duties  to  you  and  you  have  owed  duties  to  me ; 


QUARTER    CENTURY  SERMON.  265 

and  you  may  transpose  the  text  and  say:  'Our  pastor 
knows  after  what  manner  we  have  been  with  him  in  all 
seasons.'  We  have  had  his  services;  we  have  had  his 
sustenance,  his  reputation,  his  comfort,  his  usefulness  very 
much  in  our  hands ;  and  he  knows  after  what  manner  we 
have  been  with  him,  in  all  seasons.  This  mutual  review 
of  twent3^-five  years'  relation  of  pastor  and  people,  has  in 
it  great  solemnity  ;  a  solemnity  only  surpassed  by  our 
final  meeting  at  the  judgment-seat  of  Christ. 

"  In  reviewing  these  many  years  passed  together,  I 
think  we  shall  be  able  to  make  common  record. 

"  I.  On  the  piUar  which,  in  the  pilgrimage  of  life,  we 
set  up  to-day,  we  are  prepared  to  inscribe  a  record  of 
gratitude.  —  'Goodness  and  mercy  have  followed  us' 
through  these  twenty-five  years.  'The  lines  have  fallen 
to  us  in  pleasant  places,  and  we  have  had  a  goodly  heri- 
tage.' We  have  had  twenty-five  years  together,  in  the 
best  age  of  the  world  ;  in  a  land  the  most  abundant,  most 
intelligent,  and  most  free  ;  in  a  city  beautiful,  healthful, 
and  prosperous;  concentrating  almost  every  intellectual, 
artistic,  and  social  appliance  for  our  instruction,  our  recre- 
ation, and  our  enjoyment.  With  an  open  Bible,  and  full 
liberty  to  worship  God  according  to  our  consciences;  our 
thousand  Sabbaths  and  praying  circles  ;  our  blessed  revi- 
vals of  religion  ;  our  mingled  prayers  and  songs ;  our 
sweet  sacred  festivals ;  our  Christian  friendships ;  our 
dnys  of  pleasant  activities;  our  home  evenings,  and  our 
nights  of  safe  and  refreshing  repose — all  continued  through 
a  quarter  of  a  century !  '  What  shall  we  render  to  the 
Lord  for  all  his  benefits  ?' 

"For  myself,  my  heart  is  overborne  with  a  sense  of  obli- 
gation to-day.  Twenty-five  years  ago  I  began  my  labors  here, 
literally  '  in  fear  and  much  trembling.'     I  had  a  magnified 

23* 


266        LIFE   OF  REV.  THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

apprehension  of  the  dignity  and  critical  severity  of  a  con- 
gregation in  this  great  Eastern  metropolis.  I  had  a  dis- 
trust of  my  own  talents,  m}^  acquirements,  my  health,  and 
my  piety.  I  have  always  had  a  beau  ideal  of  excellence 
in  sermonizing  which  has  mocked  my  attainments.  I  have 
constitutionally  an  awful  reverence  for  God,  and  a  shrink- 
ing humiliation,  under  tlie  apprehension  of  the  sublimity 
of  the  Infinite.  The  thought  of  the  immortal  soul;  of  the 
deep,  vast,  eternal  realities  of  a  hidden  existence,  over- 
power me.  "When  I  came  to  this  city  I  could  not  enter  a 
pulpit  without  trembling.  I  cannot  do  it  yet.  This  pe- 
culiar awe  of  the  solemnity  of  standing  up  in  the  name  of 
God,  has  had  much  to  do  with  the  physical  causes  which 
compelled  me,  at  one  period,  for  three  years,  to  sit  while 
I  preached  to  you.  By  the  counsel  of  friends,  and  what 
seemed  to  be  dutj^,  by  a  strong  will,  and  trusting  in  God, 
I  pressed  over  my  fears  to  accept  the  charge  of  this  church. 
You  know  the  result.  My  brethren  around  me  have  died, 
and  I  am  still  in  vigorous  health.  Other  and  perhaps 
better  pastors  have  found  difficulties,  and  have  been  dis- 
missed.* We  are  as  firmly  united  as  ever.  Other  churches 


*  "I  seem  to  belong  almost  to  a  past  generation,  though  I  lack  some 
years  yet  of  '  threescore.'  Time  has  brought  great  changes  to  the  churches 
and  ministers  of  the  Presbyterian  denomination,  during  my  residence  in 
Philadelphia.  Arch  Street  Church  has  had  three  pastors;  Waterman, 
Thompson,  and  Wadsworth.  Second  Church,  two;  Ciiyler  and  Shields. 
Eleventh  Church,  two:  Grant  and  Edwards.  Sijcth  Church,  three;  Win- 
chester, Jones,  and  Harbaugh.  Ceutrnl  Church,  two;  McDowell  and 
Clark.  Seventh  Church,  s'\x;  McCalla,  Ely  the,  Lord,  Ruffner,  Rogers,  and 
Crowell.  Scots'  Church,  three;  McCalla,  Macklin,  and  Conklin.  Mariners' 
Church,  two  ;  Douglas  and  Ripley.  Fourth  Church,  four  ;  McCalla,  Lough- 
ridge,  Cheeseman,  and  Mowry.  Ninth  Church,  three;  Gibson,  Tudehope, 
and  Blackwood.  Church  in  Sixth  Street  above  Green,  three,  at  least;  Din- 
widie,  Janew.ay,  and  Christian.  Smithwnrk  Church,  three ;  Judson, 
Adair,  and  Brucn.  Cedar  Street  Church,  three;  Eustace,  Ramsey,  and 
Smith.  First  Church,  N.  L.,  four;  Patterson,  Carroll,  Ely,  and  Shepherd. 
Central  Church,  X.  L.,  four;   Mines,  Rood,  Wilson,  and  Duffield.     First 


QUARTER    CENTURY  SERMON.  26T 

of  our  denomination  in  the  vicinity  have  faded,  and  some 
sold  out  and  removed  ;  while  old  Pine  Street  Church  has 
still  six  hundred  andfiftij  members. 

********* 

"II.  Ill  reviewing  tiuenlij-five  years  ^^ax^  to-day,  ive 
have  to  make  a  record  of  responsibility. — A  single  inter- 
view with  an  immortal  soul,  on  which  we  can  impress  an 
influence  for  good  or  evil  that  must  last  forever,  is  a  serious 
matter.  But  to  stand  for  twenty-five  years  before  one 
thousand  souls,  all  entitled  to  look  up  to  me  for  the  teach- 
ing, the  SNMiipathy,  the  example,  and  the  prayers  best 
adapted  to  renew,  sanctify,  and  save  ;  to  have  had  twelve 
hundred  Sabbath  opportunities  to  preach  to  such  the  glo- 
rious gospel;  to  have  had  the  atfection  and  confidence  that 
adapted  them  to  receive  truth  from  my  lips  ;  to  have  been 
sustained  by  their  earnings  that  I  might  be  wise  to  win 
their  souls  to  Christ ;  to  have  had  a  place  in  their  prayers, 
private  and  public,  that  I  might  be  fitted  to  do  them  good  ; 
to  have  had  a  thousand  gratuitous  tokens  of  their  love, 
binding  them  to  my  heart ;  all  this  presses  on  my  thoughts 

to-day. 

****  *  **** 


Church,  Kensington,  two;  Chandler  and  Eva.  Weaferyi  Church,  four; 
Patton,  Richards,  Gilbert,  and  Smith.  Logan  Square,  four;  Davis,  Moore, 
Brown,  and  Patton.  Mantua  Church,  three ;  Drysdale,  Renshaw,  and 
Johnson.  Walnut  Street,  W.  P.,  two  ;  McKnight  and  Butler.  Clinton  Street, 
four;  Todd,  Parker,  Darling,  and  March. 

"  The  Rev.  John  Chambers,  Rev.  Albert  Barnes,  and  Rev.  Henry  A. 
Boardman,  D.D.,  were  in  their  respective  churches  when  I  came  to  the 
city.     May  they  long  continue  to  edify  and  strengthen  the  churches. 

"  In  other  denominations,  ministerial  changes  have  been  as  frequent  as 
in  our  own;  so  that  old  pastors  have  seen  several  generations  of  their 
clerical  brethren. 

"  It  is  pleasant  to  remember  that  I  have  lived  in  peace  with  all ;  and 
with  many  of  my  brethren  in  the  ministry,  of  all  denomination.*,  have 
had  delightful  social  intercourse.  As  I  have  given  these  statistics  from 
memory,  there  may  be  some  omissions  or  misapprehensions. 


268        LIFE   OF  REV.  THOMAS  BRAIXERD,  D.D. 

"  In  your  relation  as  bearers  of  the  gospel  through 
tweut\'-live  years,  you  know  that  a  fearful  responsibility 
has  also  rested  upon  you.  You  will  ask  yourselves,  have 
I  fully  availed  myself  of  every  opportunit}^  to  hear  the 
gospel  from  my  pastor's  lips?  When  I  have  asked  him 
to  stand  in  the  pulpit  Sabbath  morning,  afternoon,  and 
lecture  evening,  have  I  Glled  my  place  in  the  pew  ?  Have 
I  estimated  the  gospel,  embraced  it,  lived  it,  spread  it? 
Have  I  loved  my  pastor  as  much  as  I  asked  him  to  love 
me?  Have  I  sympathized  as  deeply  in  his  trials  as  I  ex- 
pected him  to  sympathize  in  mine  ?  Have  I  bound  myself 
to  hear  while  I  bound  him  to  speak;  and  lived  truth  as 
earnestly  as  I  required  him  to  preach  it  ?  Has  there  been 
deep  feeling  in  the  pews,  while  I  demanded  feeling  in  the 
pulpit  ?  These  are  solemn  questions  to  carry  over  our 
twenty-five  years'  relation  of  pastor  and  people. 

"III.  And  (he  quarter  century  has  its  record  of  sor- 
rov). — I  speak  not  now  of  our  sins  but  of  our  afflictions.  I 
have  often  wept  with  you,  and  you  have  wept  with  me,  as 
we  laid  our  loved  ones  down  in  that  sleep,  which  on  earth 
has  no  waking.  In  the  last  twenty-five  years  nearly  all 
our  dwellings  have  at  some  time  been  'houses  of  mourn- 
ing.' As  I  look  over  this  house  after  twenty-five  years,  I 
see  the  ravages  which  death  has  wrought.  In  the  middle 
ai.sle,  I  believe  but  three  are  left  alive,  who  were  its  pew- 
holders  when  I  came.  In  other  portions  of  the  house, 
death  has  been  equally  busy.  I  may  well  ask :  '  The 
fathers,  where  are  they  ?' 

"Of  the  elders  of  this  church,  William  Xassau,  "W.  B. 
Duffield,  Robert  "W.  Davenport,  James  H.  Eaton,  Thomas 
McLeod,  Dr.  Samuel  McClellan,  Levi  Eldridge,  F.  A.  Ray- 
bold,  and  John  R.  McMullin,  men  that  bore  to  you  the 
sacramental  emblems,  have  all  gone  to  join  the  'four-and- 


QUARTER   CENTURY  SERMOX.  269 

hi-enhj  elders  who  stand  before  the  Throne'  of  God  in 
heaven.  Though  I  was  their  pastor,  I  felt,  in  regard  to 
some  of  them,  willing  to  sit  at  their  feet.  In  life  and  death 
they  were  ensamples  alike  to  the  pastor  and  the  flock. 

"  The  beloved  physicians  have  died,  as  others.  We 
have  together  stood  at  their  open  graves  and  wept  that  we 
were  to  see  them  on  earth  no  more. 

"The  mothers  in  Israel,  'noble  women  not  a  few,'  true- 
hearted  wives,  lovely  maidens,  and  cherished  little  ones, 
as  well  as  young  men  in  the  pride  of  their  manhood,  we 
have  followed  to  their  narrow  house. 

"  I  have  stood  at  many  a  death-bed  and  many  a  grave 
here,  and  spoken  words  of  consolation,  which  my  own 
heart  craved  as  deeply  as  yours.  How  could  it  be  other- 
wise when  death  was  robbing  me  of  my  dearest,  most 
trusted  earthly  friends  ? 

"  My  most  impressive  recollections  to-day  are  connected 
with  these  scenes  of  bereavement  and  burial.  By  cholera, 
by  yellow  fever,  by  water,  and  by  fire  ;  by  sudden  violence, 
ordinary  disease,  and  expiring  age  ;  by  every  form  in  which 
death  comes,  I  have  met  it  among  you.  I  have  attended 
more  than  eight  hundred  funerals  of  every  age,  color,  char- 
acter, and  condition.  I  have  gone  to  the  grave-yard  with 
the  poor  and  obscure  ;  a  hearse  and  a  few  followers  on 
foot;  and  I  have  gone  with  the  affluent  and  a  numerous 
train,  and  insisted  on  the  vanity  of  earth  by  the  coffins  of 
such  men  as  John  Price  Wetherill,  James  Fassitt,  Joel  B. 
Sutherland,  A.  II.  Simmons,  and  F.  A.  Raybold. 

"  I  have  sat  a  hundred  times  in  the  dim  light  and  close 
atmosphere  of  the  dying  chamber,  and  with  aching  head 
and  heart  have  we  watched  and  prayed  while  humanity 
Avas  struggling  with  life's  last  agonies.  Little  do  those 
know  the  heart  of  a  pastor  who  regard  him  as  a  '  hireling  ;' 
giving  so  much  service  for  so  much  money.  His  office,  as 
it  widens  his  friendship,  deepens  his  affections ;  and  sends 


270        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

him  as  a  constant  mourner  to  the  grave  of  some  friend ;  or 
veils  him  in  the  draper}'  of  the  house  of  mourning,  and 
almost  tixes  his  mansion  in  the  valley  of  death. 

"  I  have  not  spoken  of  my  personal  and  family  afflic- 
tions, of  sickness  or  of  death.  These  I  have  only  shared 
with  you. 

"While  we  wept  they  have  rejoiced.  Our  tears  have 
be.irun,  where  theirs  were  forever  wiped  away.  ']iles>ied 
are  the  dead  '  of  Old  Pine  Street  Church,  '  xvho  have  died 
in  the  Lord;  for  they  rest  from  their  labors,  and  their 
works  dofolloio  them.'' 

"Remembered  are  the  dead !     They  have  lain  down, 
Believing  that  when  all  our  work  is  done 
We  would  lie  down  beside  them, — and  be  near 
When  the  last  trump  shall  summon,  to  fold  up 
The  trusting  flock,  and  with  the  promises, 
Whose  words  could  sweeten  death. 
Take  up  once  more  the  interrupted  strnin, 
And  wait  Christ's  coming,  saying:  'Here  am  I, 
And  those  whom  thou  hast  given  me  .'' 

"  IT.  JVe  are  allowed  to-day  to  make  a  record  of  j^^^og- 
ress. — But  for  the  dark  shade  now  over  our  Southern 
horizon,  I  should  like  to  allude  to  our  national  growth  in 
twenty-five  years ;  our  augmented  territory,  our  doubled 
population,  our  increased  commerce  and  wealth,  our  iron 
roads  and  invented  telegraphs  and  power-presses.  Twenty- 
five  years  have  wrought  great  national  changes.  In  the 
winter  of  1836  I  came  from  Cincinnati  to  settle  in  this 
church,  by  stage — a  ten  days'  journey.  It  can  now  be 
traveled  in  thirty  hours.  Our  city  then  had  not  half  of 
its  present  population.  It  then  numbered  237,000  ;  now  we 
have  GOO, 000.*     The  foundation  of  Girard  College  had  just 

*  800,000. 


QUARTER    CENTURY  SERMON.  271 

been  laid.  The  walls  of  the  Old  Walnut  Street  Prison  were 
standing  at  Sixth  and  Walnut.  Two  railroads,  one  to 
Trenton  and  one  to  Columbia  (on  the  first,  horse-power 
was  used),  were  finished.  Scarce  a  public  school-house 
had  been  erected  in  the  city.  We  have  made  great  prog- 
ress physicallj,  in  twenty-five  years. 

"  In  religious  affairs  we  have  made  also  some  advance. 
Twenty-five  years  ago  Philadelphia  had  about  one  hundred 
churches  of  all  denominations.  Xow  it  has  near  four  hun- 
dred. Our  N.  S.  Presbyterian  denomination  then  had  in 
the  city  eleven  churches;  now  we  have  twenty,  though 
we  have  failed  to  keep  up  with  the  population. 

"When  I  came  to  this  church-edifice  it  was  barn  like  in 
its  aspects.  We  had  no  vestibule ;  no  lecture,  Sunday- 
school,  nor  business  rooms.  Our  weekly  lectures  were 
held  in  the  great,  dimly-lighted  church  ;  our  Sunday-school 
in  the  high  galleries  and  high-backed  pews.  We  have  not 
dwelt  'in  ceiled  houses,'  and  allowed  the  house  of  our  God 
'to  lie  desolate.'  By  the  appropriation  of  thirty  thousand 
dollars,  all  paid,  you  have  made  this  edifice  worthy  of  the 
age  and  the  cause  to  which  it  is  devoted. 

"And  while  we  have  cared  for  ourselves,  we  have  not 
been  unmindful  of  others.  You  have  given  eighteen 
hundred  dollars  to  German  Street  Church  ;  five  hundred 
dollars  to  Camden  Church ;  fifteen  hundred  dollars  to 
Green  Hill  Church  ;  eight  hundred  dollars  to  Cedar  Street 
Church;  seven  hundred  dollars  to  the  Western  Church. 
With  some  three  or  four  exceptions,  every  church  of  our 
denomination  in  this  city  has  received  your  contribution 
in  the  last  twenty-five  years. 

"  We  have  not  been  unmindful  of  our  great  national 
charities.  In  '  all  seasons,'  some  twelve  times  in  each 
year,  you  have  contributed  to  these  causes ;  and  your 
charities  have  generally  averaged  three  and  four  thou- 
sand dollars  a  year;  and  all  told,  would  probably  reach 


272        LIFE   OF  REV.  THOSIAS  BRAIXERD,  D.D. 

one  hundred  thousand  dollars  in  the  quarter  of  a  century. 
Every  month  we  have  had  also  a  collection  for  the  poor  of 
the  church.  Besides  this,  our  'Ladies'  Dorcas  Society' 
has  given  each  winter,  to  the  indigent  around  us,  at  least 
twelve  hundred  garments,  making  thirty  thousand  gar- 
ments in  twenty- live  years. 

"  I  have  felt  my  responsibility  to  widen  out  the  influ- 
ence of  the  gospel,  under  Presbyterian  forms,  as  I  was 
able,  in  this  city.  I  counseled  the  purchase  of  Clinton 
Street  Church,  and  walked  the  streets  for  ten  days  solicit- 
ing means  to  pay  the  fir.st  indebtedness.  Nine  hundred 
dollars  were  advanced  by  you.  My  ill  health,  which 
drove  me  to  Green  Hill  to  reside,  was  the  occasion  of  my 
interest  in  building  a  church  there  ;  and  I  gave  two 
months  of  successful  labor  toward  erecting  the  Gothic 
edifice  on  Girard  Avenue,  which  I  trust  may  echo  the 
gospel  for  a  thousand  years. 

"  I  was  one  of  four  persons,  including  the  Rev.  Albert 
Barnes,  Dr.  J.  M.  Paul,  and  the  late  Charles  S.  Wurts, 
who  met  to  devise  the  erection  of  Calvary  Church.  I 
gave  to  that  church  the  Thurf?day  evenings  of  thirty-si.x 
weeks  ;  begged  for  it  among  the  wealthy  ;  subscribed  five 
hundred  dollars,  of  which  you  returned  me  three  hundred; 
and  traveled  first  and  last  near  three  thousand  miles,  to 
find  them  an  able  pastor.  It  pays  well ;  for  it  is  a  fount- 
ain of  truth,  at  which  generations  shall  quench  their 
thirst. 

"By  procuring  your  contributions  to  the  amount  of 
nearly  one  thousand  dollars,  I  Avas  enaljled  to  aid  in 
building  a  beautiful  little  church,  in  a  destitute  town,  on 
the  borders  of  the  great  Adirondack  Forest  of  New  York. 
I  went  upwards  of  four  hundred  miles  to  preach  at  its 
dedication.  I  have  engaged  in  these  enterprises  with  an 
earnestness,  anxiety,  and  self-denial  such  as  I  never  bore 
to  any  matter  of  personal  gain,  reputation,  or  enjoyment ; 


QUARTER    CENTURY  SERMON.  273 

and  the  thought  that  the  gospel  will  bo  preached  in  these 
temples  long-  after  I  am  dead,  is  one  of  my  sweetest  re- 
flections to-day. 

"During  my  ministry  here  I  have  been  called  to  deliver 
an  address  at  the  laying  of  the  corner-stone  of  Calvary 
Church,  Olivet  Church,  Walnut  Street  Church,  W.  P., 
German  Street  Church, -Rising  Sun  Church,  Norriton 
Church,  Reeseville  Church,  Camden  Church,  0.  S.  Church 
at  Bridesburg,  Third  Church,  Elizabethtown,  N.  J.,  Central 
Church,  Wilmington,  Del.,  Rev.  Mr.  Dunning's  Church, 
Baltimore,  and  others. 

"By  order  of  Presbyter}",  I  organized  Calvary  Church, 
Green  Hill  Church,  Rising  Sun  Church,  Camden  Church, 
Beverly  Church,  and  some  others.  I  was  also  present  in 
the  little  circle  which  planned  the  establishment  of  the 
Presbyterian  House,  now  a  treasure  to  our  denomination. 
The  Preahylerian  QuarterJij  Review  originated  in  a  coun- 
cil of  the  late  Dr.  Gilbert,  Dr.  Parker,  Rev.  Mr.  Barnes, 
and  myself.  It  has  realized,  under  its  able  editor,  all  our 
expectations. 

"  I  have  preached  at  the  installation  of  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Jenkins,  Calvary  Church  ;  Rev.  Dr.  Darling,  Clinton 
Street ;  Rev.  Dr.  Patton,  Western  Church ;  Rev.  Mr. 
Gould,  Norristown  ;  Rev.  Mr.  Mears,  Camden  ;  Rev.  Mr. 
Bliss,  Beverly ;  Rev.  Mr.  Eva,  Kensington  ;  and  of  some 
others  which  1  do  not  now  recall,  as  I  keep  no  journal. 
1  have  never  coveted  these  services,  but  have  always 
shrunk  from  them  when  duty  would  permit. 

"  In  respect  to  all  these  enterprises  outside  of  my 
church,  I  have  been  only  a  co-laborer  with  my  ministerial 
brethren,  especially  with  my  friend,  the  Rev.  Albert 
Barnes,  who,  if  he  brought  to  the  work  less  enthusiasm 
and  impulse,  sustained  it  most  effectually  by  the  steadi- 
ness of  his  purposes  and  the  great  weight  of  his  character. 

24 


2T4        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAIN ERD,  D.D. 

I  may  say  of  liim,  after  an  acquaintance  of  t went}'- five 
years,  as  my  nearest  clerical  neighbor,  that  I  have  never 
known  a  man  whom  I  would  prefer  to  labor  by  my  side  ;  to 
offer  a  last  prayer  by  my  dying-bed,  or  greet  me  first  at  the 
open  gate  of  heaven.  His  counsel,  sympathy,  companion- 
ship, and  friendly  indorsement  have  been  to  me  a  source 
of  comfort  and  strength  in  all  my  ministry  here.  Neither 
lie  nor  I  have  studied  our  own  conifort  and  prospcu'ity 
only.  We  have  aided  to  build  for  our  brethren  better 
church  edifices  than  our  own,  with  the  certainty  of  dis- 
missing to  them  some  of  our  best  members  and  our 
warmest  fi'iends. 

"In  these  outside  labors,  I  hope  I  have  not  robbed  you. 
I  should  condemn  myself,  if  I  could  remember  that  any 
interest  or  enjoyment  elsewhere  had  ever  bribed  me  to  neg- 
lect my  duties  here.  As  God  has  given  me  health  and 
grace,  I  have  earnestly  sought  your  welfai-e.  I  have 
sought  your  profit  more  than  3'our  praise  ;  and  been  more 
anxious  to  bless,  than  to  please  you.  Three  times  on  the 
Sabbath  and  twice  in  the  week  I  have  aimed  to  be 
with  you.  I  never  allowed  the  love  of  ease,  nor  money,  nor 
pleasure  to  detain  me  from  church  services,  when  I  suj)- 
posed  I  could  do  you  good.  To  a  call  from  any  sick-bed 
or  any  house  of  sorrow  among  you,  I  have  never  been  in- 
sensible. I  have  never  here  courted  the  rich  and  slighted 
the  poor;  I  have  not  ambitiously  made  sermons  to  gain 
a  reputation  for  genius,  learning,  and  taste,  rather  than  to 
benefit  my  people.  I  have  not  shrunk  from  the  avowal  of 
any  sentiment,  however  distasteful,  if  I  thought  truth  de- 
manded such  avowal. 

"  Had  I  been  a  better  man  in  heart,  in  prayer,  in  medita- 
tion, in  life,  I  should  have  done  you  more  good  ;  but  God 
to-day  gives  me  the  consciousness  that  I  have  earnestly, 
continuously,  and  often  with  great  self-denial  of  my  own 
comfort,  labored  for  youi-  welfare.     And  here  I  cheerfully 


QUARTER    CENTURY  SERMON.  215 

bear  my  testimony,  at  the  end  of  twenty-five  years,  that 
you  have  been  most  kind,  considerate,  indulgent,  and  often 
generous  to  your  pastor.  To  me  and  my  family,  with  few 
exceptions,  you  have  all  been  faithful  ;  and,  my  dear  people, 
in  the  name  of  God  I  blens  you  to-day. 

"  Our  union  and  peace  have  lasted  twenty-five  years,  and 
hence  our  prosperity.  As  a  church  we  have  had  some 
evils  to  struggle  with.  The  occupation  of  the  east  part  of 
this  city  with  business,  has  turned  the  tide  of  population 
north  and  west ;  to  higher  ground,  larger  space,  and  more 
modern  dwellings.  This  emigration,  while  it  has  entirely 
broken  up  some  churches,  has  had  its  effect  on  us.  It  has 
taken  away  many  of  our  best  families.  It  tends  to  draw 
away  from  Old  Pine  Street  our  children,  when  they  marry 
and  settle  in  life.  It  gives  a  general  feeling  of  insecurity 
to  all,  as  it  makes  our  abidance  in  this  vicinity  doubtful. 

"  But  in  spite  of  all  these  causes,  our  church  roll  has  not 
been  diminished.  Hitherto  our  accessions  have  surpassed 
our  dismissions;  so  that  we  have  six  hundred  and  fifty 
members.  And  those  who  have  left  us  are  not  lost  to  us. 
They  are  our  missionaries  to  plant  and  sustain  churches 
elsewhere  ;  and  they  are  now  fulfilling  their  work.  We 
claim  that  they  are  our  men  still.  And  so  we  claim  all 
our  old  members  in  Green  Hill,  Calvary,  Clinton  Street, 
and  elsewhere.  We  believe  their  hearts  cling  to  us,  as  our 
love  follows  them.  We  ask  them  to  cherish  their  own  pas- 
tors, and  build  up  their  own  churches  ;  but  though  organ- 
izations externally  divide  us,  and  distance  separates,  in 
heart  we  are  still  one.  Their  old  pastor  claims  the  right 
still  to  love  and  pray  for  them  ;  and  if  they  are  in  trouble 
and  sorrow,  he  hopes  to  be  with  them  in  sympathy  and 
consolation. 

"  When  I  came  to  this  church  it  enrolled  four  hundred 
and  fifty  members;  now  we  have  six  hundred  and  fifty. 
The  Sabbath-school  had  about  twenty  teachers  and  two 


276        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAIN ERD,  D.D. 

hundred  scholars.  Xow  our  Pine  Street  School  has  t\\'enty- 
eight  teachers  and  four  hundred  enrolled  scholars;  our 
infant  school,  seventy  f  in  the  Robert  Eaikes  School  we 
have  twenty-three  teachers  and  two  hundred  and  thirty 
scholars, — making  a  total  of  sixty-three  teachers,  and  seven 
hundred  and  ten  enrolled  scholars. 

"In  respect  to  the  youth,  I  ma}^  say,  since  the  founda- 
tion of  this  church,  one  hundred  years  ago,  there  has  never 
been  a  period  when  so  many  of  the  young  were  connected 
with  it  as  at  the  present  time.  This  is  hopeful  and  blessed. 
For  five  years  you  know  our  Sunday  evening  prayer-meet- 
ing has  been  under  the  special  control  of  our  young  men. 
It  is  a  beautiful  spectacle.  The  large  room  acconmiodating 
some  five  hundred,  thronged  with  youth  of  both  sexes;  the 
middle  aisle  set  out  with  camp-stools  and  filled  with  young 
men  ;  the  faces  of  all  radiant  with  youth,  health,  and  happi- 
ness ;  the  sacred  songs  and  exhortations,  all  tinged  with 
youthful  earnestness  and  enthusiasm ;  it  is  good  to  be  there ! 
Most  tenderly  has  my  heart  yearned  over  the  young  people 
of  my  charge,  and  I  have  had  delightful  evidence  that  they 
give  me  their  confidence  in  return.  May  I  be  allowed  to 
lead  them  all  to  Him  who,  looking  upon  a  young  man, 
'  loved  him.' 

"  In  twenty-five  years  I  have  baptized  here  over  eight 
hundred  ;  married  over  seven  hundred  couple ;  and  ad- 
mitted more  tlian  one  thousand  to  the  communion  of  the 
church.  One  generation  has  gone  ;  but  another  has  risen 
under  m}'  labors  to  praise  the  Lord.' 

"  Time  will  not  allow  me  to  speak  as  I  would  like  of  our 
spiritual  conflicts  and  triumphs;  of  our  hundred  commu- 
vions  ;  of  our  half  a  score  of  precious  revivals.  These  we 
shall  remember  in  heaven. 

"  V.  The  years  loast  give  ua  a  record  of  solemn  adino- 
nili'jn. — We  shall  never  meet  on  another  such  anniversarv. 


COMMEMORATION  FESTIVAL.  27t 

T went}"- five  yoavs  are  g-one  since  I  first  preached  within 
these  walls.    AVhat  a  startling  portion  of  human  life! 

"  The  old  persons  I  met  here — they  are  all  dead  ;  the 
middle-aged,  they  are  bent  with  years,  and  are  blossoming 
for  the  grave.  The  little  children  are  men  and  women, 
waiting  for  the  same  change.  '  AVe  all  do  fade  as  a  leaf.' 
'  Work  while  the  day  lasts,  for  the  night  cometh.' 

"  My  gifted  predecessors,  Rev.  Drs.  Milledoller,  Alex- 
ander, and  Ely,  have  all  died  since  I  came  here.  I  am  the 
sole  survivor  of  the  pastors  of  this  old  church.  Patterson, 
Carroll,  Chandler,  Rood,  J.  W.  Scott,  Gilbert,  McKnight, 
Judson,  Ramsey,  Eustace,  Judd,  Harris,  Gloucester,  and 
Templeton  ;  many  of  them  my  cherished  friends  ;  they  are 
all  ill  the  grave.  Rev.  Drs.  Ashbel  Green,  William  Xeill, 
C.  C.  Cuyler,  and  Rev.  Messrs.  McCalla,  Douglas,  Macklin, 
Cheeseman,  Loughridge,  Winchester,  Tudehope,  and  Ripley 
— my  Old  School  brethi'on  ;  they  have  all  fallen  by  my  side. 
I  now  live  in  Philadelphia  among  new  men.  My  old  asso- 
ciates are  in  heaven.  May  God  give  me  grace  to  be  ready 
to  follow  them  ! 

"While  I  ask  a  place  still  in  your  hearts  and  your 
prayers,  I  would  urge  upon  you,  as  a  matter  of  infinitely 
greater  moment,  that  you  make  here  a  solemn  covenant  to 
consecrate  your  hearts'  affections,  and  3-our  whole  being 
to  that  Saviour  who  says,  '  Be  thou  faUhful  unto  death, 
and  I  will  give  thee  a  crown  of  life.''  " 


COMMEMORATION   FES'IIVAL. 

It  was  thought  proper  by  the  congregation  of  Old  Pine 
Street  Church  to  mark  the  Quarter  Century  Anniversary 
of  their  pastor's  settlement,  by  a  public  manifestation  of 
their  confidence  and  affection.    The  mode  adopted  and  the 

24* 


278        LIFE   OF  REV.  THOMAS  BRATXERD,  D.D. 

proceedings  are  narrated  in  the  following*  report,  which 
Ave  copy  substantially  from  the  American  Presbyterian, 
whose  editor,  llev.  J,  W.  Mears,  was  present  at  the 
Festival : 

"Monday  evening,  February  17th,  through  one  of  the 
worst  storms  which  have  been  so  numerous  during  this 
Avinter,  six  hundred  persons,  members  and  ex-members  of 
the  Third  Church,  with  a  few  invited  guests,  assembled  iu 
Sansom  Street  Hall,  to  celebrate  the  Quarter  Century  of 
the  existing  pastoral  relation  It  was  a  goodly,  a  cheer- 
ful, a  happy  company.  The  middle-aged  and  the  old  were 
there.  One  venerable  lady,  in  her  nineties,  moved,  with 
slight  assistance,  among  the  throng,  receiving  many  atten- 
tions and  entering  with  zest  into  the  enjoyments  of  the 
occasion.  But  youth,  too,  was  well  and  abundantly  repre- 
sented there,  proving  that  the  old  stock  has  plenty  of  vital- 
ity and  promise  for  the  future  yet.  The  character  of  the 
Festival  has  been  Avell  hit  by  one  of  our  contemporaries, 
the  Evening  Bulletin,  who  styles  it  '  such  a  family  gather- 
ing as  is  but  seldom  seen  in  this  cold  and  selfish  world.' 
There  was  order  without  restraint  or  formality  ;  there  was 
true  Christian  cheerfulness  and  hilarity.  From  the  pastor 
and  the  presiding  officer,  Mr.  John  C.  Farr,  down  through 
the  whole  compan}^,  ease  and  cordiality  marked  the  manners 
of  all ;  while  mutual  congratulations  were  frequeiitly  ex- 
changed between  the  honored  pastor  and  an  appreciative 
people.  There  Avere  not  Avanting  representatives  of  our 
noble  army  mingling  with  the  throng.  Thirty-four  young 
men  of  the  congregation  are  in  the  field;  and  one  of  these, 
an  officer  of  the  church,  Mr.  William  Ivins,  appeared  in 
regimentals  as  lieutenant  in  the  Curtin  Life  Guards.  And 
the  exciting  and  glorious  news  of  the  fall  of  Fort  Donel- 
son,  just  received,  threw  a  peculiar  and  elastic  element 
into  the  grateful  jo}"  of  the  occasion  itself. 


COMMEMORATIOX  FESTIVAL.  279 

"  At  a  quai'ter  past  eight  o'clock,  Mr.  Robert  J.  fiercer, 
Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  Arrangement,  called  those 
who  had  assembled  in  the  reception-room  to  order;  when 
the  Secretary,  Mr.  George  Young,  read  the  general  order 
to  be  preserved  at  the  table,  and  announced  the  names  of 
the  officers  appointed  for  the  evening. 

"The  summons  to  supper  came  at  half-past  eight 
o'clock,  on  which  important  occasion  John  C.  Farr,  Esq., 
presided,  the  Stars  and  Stripes  being  gracefully  festooned 
behind  his  seat.  He  was  assisted  by  Messrs.  Alexander 
Whilldin,  Captain  W.  Whilldin,  D.  C.  McCammon,  K.  J. 
Mercer,  Samuel  Work,  A.  Getty,  John  Wallace,  W.  Tay- 
lor, and  B.  Webb.  Among  the  invited  guests  were  "Rev. 
A.  Barnes,  Rev.  Dr.  Jenkins,  Rev.  John  McLeod,  Rev. 
Dr.  Wallace,  Rev.  John  W.  Mears,  Rev.  A.  Culver,  and 
others.  After  the  officers  had  been  announced,  grace  was 
said  by  Dr.  Jenkins,  and  the  company  proceeded  to  dis- 
cuss the  good  things  set  before  them.  When  sufficient 
time  had  elapsed  to  do  justice  to  this  important  part  of 
the  celebration,  the  Star-spangled  Banner  was  sung, 
Lieutenant  Ivins  leading,  and  the  whole  company  joining 
most  heartily  in  the  chorus. 

REMARKS    OF    DR.    BRAINERD. 

"Dr.  Brainerd  was  first  called  for,  and  on  rising  was 
received  with  a  jjerfect  ovation  of  applause,  which  the 
people  scarcely  seemed  to  know  how  to  bring  to  an  end. 
When  order  was  restored,  Dr.  Brainerd  commenced  by 
saying  that  he  was  sure  he  had  none  too  much  modesty, 
but  that  after  such  a  welcome  he  felt  doubtful  how  to  pro- 
ceed. The  chairman,  he  said,  was  very  kind  in  giving  me 
an  introduction  to  this  audience.  I  have  had  a  slight  ac- 
quaintance with  them.  And  I  can  say  of  my  people  that 
Avhile  I  commenced  ray  ministry  with  a  proper  estimate  of 
them,  an  acquaintance  of  twenty-five  years  has  only  in- 


280        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRATXERD,  D.D. 

creased  my  esteem  and  regard.  Every  sentiment  of  affec- 
tion on  your  part  is  fully  reciprocated.  The  present  is  not 
the  time  for  pathos,  nor  for  recalling  those  chapters  of  our 
histor}'  that  so  touch  the  heart.  This  is  the  time  to  take 
the  mercies  of  God,  and  felicitate  ourselves.  For  my- 
self, I  never  supped  uith  so  many  friends  before,  and  I 
never  expect  to  again.  I  have  dined  with  crowds  often, 
but  never  before  was  able  to  recognize  in  every  face  a 
friend. 

"  A  ministry  of  twenty-five  years  is  likely  to  develop 
character.  When  I  came  among  you  I  was  relatively  a 
young  man.  By  your  kindness  and  indulgence  you  have 
made  a  Quarter  of  a  Century  of  ray  life  pleasant  to  me. 
There  has  been  almost  no  shade  on  my  mind  in  regard  to 
my  congregation.  I  have  never  had  a  difficulty  with 
them.  I  have  never  distrusted  you,  nor  you  me.  In  a 
connection  which  has  lasted  so  long,  such  a  fact  marks  a 
great  deal  of  kindness,  of  conscientiousness,  and  of  self- 
restraint.  I  have  had  an  eldership  which  has  enjoyed 
my  perfect  confidence.  Except  on  some  rare  occasions, 
we  have  never  had  a  negative  vote.  When  we  have  had 
differences  of  opinion,  we  have  differed  as  gentlemen.  I 
have  uniformly  been  sustained  by  them  in  my  labors.  A 
great  part  of  the  peace,  prosperity,  and  unity  of  the  church 
I  attribute  to  the  eldership,  some  of  whom  are  in  heaven. 
And  the  Trustees  of  Pine  Street  Church  have  been  con- 
scientious, reliable,  and  true-hearted  men.  Though  we 
have  expended  thirty  thousand  dollars  in  repairs.  Pine 
Street  Church  owes  no  man  a  dollar.  I  have  been  met  in 
the  congregation  with  a  spirit  of  Christian  activity.  There 
was  no  worthy  object  for  which  I  could  not  summon  the 
energy  of  my  people.  And  I  have  been  able  to  move 
to  outside  enterprises,  because  they  have  carried  the  people 
with  them. 

'•  We   have  felt  the  pressure  of  the   migration  to  the 


COMMEMORATION  FESTIVAL.  281 

westward  and  northward  of  our  city.  "We  have  parted 
with  many  of  our  best  members,  who  have  g-one  to  engage 
in  new  enterprises  in  that  direction.  But  those  who  have 
gone  out  from  us  are  still  with  us.  By  the  blessing  of  our 
heavenly  Father,  our  church  still  has  numbers,  unity,  and 
strength.  If  you  will  look  around  upon  these  happy 
groups — upon  these  noble  young  men  and  these  blooming 
maidens — you  will  see  that  Old  Pine  Street  Church  has 
hope  of  prosperity  in  years  yet  to  come. 

"I  have  known  some  pastors  who  sympathized  with 
humanity,  '  not  as  God  made  it,  but  as  the  tailor  made  it.' 
I  have  not  been  of  that  class.  The  people  of  Pine  Street 
Churcli  have  not  been  what  is  called  'fashionalile.'  They 
generally  slept  in  the  night  and  kept  awake  in  the  day- 
time. They  have  lived  in  houses  that  they  owned,  or  the 
rent  of  which  has  been  paid.  If  they  walked  in  Chestnut 
Street,  they  owned  the  garments  and  bonnets  in  which 
they  were  arrayed.  In  the  vear  1857,  not  a  single  indi- 
vidual in  the  congregation  failed.  We  are  a  very  unfash- 
ionable people,  very!  Another  unfashionable  feature  is 
that  we  believe  religion  to  be  eminently  social.  Hence 
there  is  great  shaking  of  hands  at  our  gatherings;  a  great 
deal  of  tarrying  to  inquire  after  one  another's  welfare  ; 
much  kindly  greeting  and  friendly  feeling  that  has  grown 
up  in  thirty  years.  If  respectability  depends  on  sub.stan- 
tial  qualities,  on  general  culture,  or  on  a  disposition  to  do 
right  to  all  men,  I  claim  that  Pine  Street  Church  falls 
below  no  other  in  this  particular. 

"I  sustain  peculiar  relations  to  many  of  this  assemblage. 
One  of  the  pleasant  things  in  my  Quarter  Century  is  the 
fact  that  I  have  been  able  to  organize  so  many  Iiappy  families 
among  3'ou.  How  many  couple  have  stood  up  to  receive  my 
blessing!  Let  all  here  present,  whom  I  have  thus  unitetl, 
lift  up  their  hands  and  lift  them  high,  so  that  they  can  be 
seen.     (A  forest  of  hands,  male  and  female,  twinkled  in  the 


282        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

air.)  Xow  let  all  who  expect  me  to  perform  the  same 
office  for  them,  raise  their  hands  !  (Xot  a  few  hands  raised 
again.)" 

[After  the  merriment  occasioned  by  this  characteristic 
sallj  had  subsided  the  doctor  resumed  :] 

"I  can  only  say,  in  conclusion,  that  I  have  a  feeling  of 
profound  gratitude  to  my  congregation  who  have  l)een  so 
kind  as  to  meet  with  me  on  this  occasion.  I  am  grateful 
to  them  for  regarding  the  termination  of  my  twenty-five 
years  as  worthy  of  such  a  demonstration.  Why,  as  to  the 
news  we  have  heard  to-day,  I  don't  know  but  the  capture 
of  Fort  Donelson  will  be  remembered  by  the  coincidence! 
(Prolonged  cheering  and  merriment.)  But  I  cannot  sit 
down  without  acknowledging  my  obligations  to  other  con- 
gregations. Especially  have  I  been  sustained  always  by 
the  weight  of  character,  excellent  influence,  and  kind  heart 
of  my  good  Brother  Barnes.  I  owe  much,  also,  to  other 
ministers  of  our  church.  And  with  the  ministry  of  other 
denominations  in  this  city,  I  have  had  no  dissension.  The 
onh'  exception  to  this  was  when  my  brethren  of  the  'Old 
School'  turned  me  out  of  the  church  ;  an  act  which  I  cer- 
tainly felt  deeply.  Otherwise,  I  have  lived  in  peace  with 
all  during  my  entire  ministry  among  you.  For  some 
reason — no  merit  of  mine — the  newspaper  press  has  always 
been  my  ally  ;  and  I  take  this  opportunity  to  acknowledge 
my  obligations  to  the  Press,  which  has  treated  my  name 
and  character  with  so  much  kindness. 

"In  conclusion,  I  desire  to  renew  the  covenant  entered 
into  with  you  a  Quarter  of  a  Century  ago  ;  and  I  promise 
with  the  help  of  niy  Master  to  Ije  more  faithful  in  the  per- 
formance of  my  duties  among  you. 

REMARKS   OF    MR.   BARNES. 

"  A  loud  call  having  been  made  for  Mr.  Barnes,  he  rose, 
and,  referring  to  Mark  Antony's  speech  over  Julius  Caesar, 


COMMEMORATWX   FESTIVAL.  283 

said  that  while  he  did  not  come  to  bury  Dr.  Braiiicrd — it 
■would  be  more  in  the  order  of  nature  for  Dr.  Braincrd  to 
perform  that  ofBce  for  him — neither  had  he  come  to  praise 
him.  Yet,  he  said,  it  is  not  improper  in  the  position  we 
occupy,  to  refer  to  the  manner  of  our  intercourse.  Wc 
were  brought  up  in  the  same  part  of  the  country.  It  so 
happened  that  Dr.  Braincrd  came  to  the  same  town — Eomc 
— and  that  we  joined  the  church  under  the  same  pastor. 
There  we  both  gave  ourselves  to  the  Saviour;  tliere  Ave 
both  consecrated  ourselves  to  the  work  of  the  ministry. 
Contrary  to  my  early  ambition  and  to  the  brightest  dreanj 
of  my  life,  I  was  brought  to  this  city  ;  and  here  Dr.  Brainerd 
has  been  on  my  right  hand  at  all  times.  I  confess  he  has 
always  been  ahead  of  me.  If  there  was  ever  a  smart  thing 
to  be  said,  he  said  it  before  I  could  ;  or  if  there  was  a  good 
thing  to  be  done,  he  was  sure  to  do  it  before  I  did.  Yet 
he  has  been  one  Avith  whom  I  have  taken  sweet  counsel. 
He  has  been  a  faithful  and  true  man  as  a  personal  friend. 

"  You  see  I  am  not  a  young  man  now.  I  was  young 
Avhen  I  came  here.  It  is  a  marvel,  a  wonder  to  me  that  I 
ever  did  come  ;  that  I  dared  to  come  to  this  great  city,  and 
allow  myself  to  be  put  in  the  situation  I  occupy;  that  I 
dared  to  become  the  successor  of  that  trulv  great  man. 
Dr.  Wilson.  I  have  remained  here  till  I  have  seen  changes 
in  every  Presbyterian  church.  Old  and  Is^ew  School  (un- 
less Mr.  Chambers  be  excepted),  in  every  Scotch,  German 
Reformed,  Episcopal,  Baptist,  Moravian,  and  of  course, 
Methodist  church. 

"I  have  lived  while  the  ministers  of  all  have  passed  away 
except  Messrs.  Chambers  and  Furness.  I  look  back  with 
interest  over  the  names  of  those  who  have  passed  away 
from  this  and  other  congregations  in  that  period.  There 
are  Sanford  and  Eustace  and  Scott,  and  Judson,  and  Pat- 
terson, and  Gloucester,  and  Templeton,  and  Gilbert,  and 
llamsav,  and  Elv,  and   others,  whom  I  cannot  at   this 


284        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

moment  recall, — they  have  gone.  I  remember  that  I  owe 
not  a  little  to  Pine  Street  Church  and  its  pastors.  The 
fact  that  I  am  now  a  minister  in  the  Presbyterian  Church 
is  due  to  the  predecessor  of  Dr.  Brainerd.  At  a  moment 
Avhen  I  sat  in  deep  distress  of  mind  on  the  point  of  declar- 
ing  myself  no  longer  a  member  of  the  body,  he  laid  his 
hand  kindly  upon  my  shoulder,  and  held  me  down.  Yery 
much  do  I  owe  to  Dr.  Ely ;  I  cannot  repay  him  in  this 
world,  or  in  the  next  either.  Soon  after  I  came  to  this  city, 
I  was  thrown  into  a  fiery  furnace  of  trial ;  I  shoidd  have 
sunk  again  and  again,  but  for  Dr.  Ely,  then  editor  of  the 
Fhiladelplnan*  who  became  my  warm  friend,  and  ad- 
mitted freely  to  his  paper  articles  in  my  defense.  He  was, 
indeed,  a  strong,  warm,  personal  friend.  He  made  sac- 
rifices for  me — not,  indeed,  exclusively  for  me,  but  for  tiie 
cause  in  which  we  were  both  engaged.  He  was  a  true 
friend — a  life-long  friend.  I  shall  remember  his  kindness 
till  I  lay  my  head  in  the  grave. 

"  It  is  affecting  to  think  that  we  are  so  far  along  in  life. 
It  is  much,  very  much  to  have  passed  through  such  an 
extent  of  life,  and  to  have  maintained  a  position  like  this 
of  Dr.  Brainerd's  under  such  circumstances.  One  occasion 
of  gratitude  lies  in  the  fact  that  changes  in  the  pastoral 
relation  are  so  common.  That  a  pastor,  after  a  connec- 
tion of  twenty-five  years,  can  come  before  an  assembly 
like  this,  exliibiting  so  many  evidences  of  youth  and  vigor, 
and  be  received  with  such  expressions  of  cordiality  and 
enthusiasm  as  you  have  manifested  to-night,  is  truly  a 
matter  of  profound  congratulation.  Mr.  Barnes  was  heard 
with  deep  and  respectful  attention,  and  sat  down  amid  the 
applause  of  the  people. 


-•■■  A  religious  paper,  printed  and  published  by  William  F.  GcdJes,  from 
1825  to  1835. 


COMMEMORATION  FESTIVAL.  285 

REMAPaCS    OF    DR.    JENKINS. 

"  The  Kev.  Dr.  Jenkins,  having  been  called  upon  to 
address  the  meeting-,  said  : 

"Mr.  Chairman  and  Christian  Friends: — I  was 
brought  up  in  my  own  country  under  the  regime  of 
'Breakfast  Meetings'  and  'Tea  Meetings,'  and  am  glad 
that  I  am  this  evening  permitted  to  behold  a  scene  such 
as  that  which  now  presents  itself  before  me,  and  to  be  in 
this  way  reminded  of  '  days  of  old'  and  of  '  ancient  times.' 
All  the  arrangements  of  the  evening — the  order  and  de- 
corum of  this  large  assemblage — are  gratifying  to  me,  as 
they  must  be  to  those  who  have  had  the  labor  of  provid- 
ing for  us  this  Christian  entertainment.  Truly,  I  have 
never  witnessed  a  more  orderly — shall  I  add  ? — happy 
company,  in  any  country. 

"I  congratulate  Dr.  Brainerd  on  being  privileged  to 
enjoy  this  '  silver  wedding'  with  the  people  of  his  love. 
I  am  tempted  to  wish  that  he  may  live  long  enough  to 
enjoy  a  '  golden  wedding'  with  Old  Pine  Street  congrega- 
tion ;  such  an  event  does  not  lie  beyond  the  range  of  prob- 
ability, for  if  my  reverend  and  venerable  brother's  life  be 
prolonged  twenty-five  years  more,  he  will  not  then  have 
reached  the  age  of  some  who  are  now  present,  though  I 
cannot  deny  that  he  will  be  older  than  he  is  to-day. 

"Some  eight  years  ago,  your  pastor,  in  company  with 
Mr.  Barnes,  visited  Montreal,  for  the  purpose  of  inducing 
me  to  transfer  my  presence  and  labors  to  this  city.  I  am 
glad  to  meet  them  both  here  this  evening ;  and  to  have 
the  opportunity  of  testifying  to  the  faithfulness  with  which 
they  have  redeemed  the  pledges  which  they  then  volun- 
teered, namely,  to  stand  by  me  in  the  prosecution  of  the 
arduous  duties  upon  which  they  were  inviting  me  to  enter 
The  fact  to  which  I  refer  has,  in  my  own  esteem,  created 

25 


28G        LIFE   OF  BEV.   THOMAS  BRAIXERD,  D.D. 

a  sort  of  relationship  between  us  which  neither  time  nor 
distance  can  ever  extinguish. 

"  It  is  a  great  thing  for  the  Pine  Street  Church  and 
congregation  that  they  have  enjoyed  the  services  of  one 
pastor  for  a  Quarter  of  a  Centuiy.  It  is  an  honor  to 
pastor  and  to  people  equally,  that  the  relations  between 
them  have  been  so  long  and  so  harmoniously  maintained. 
In  the  progress  of  his  address  this  evening,  my  reverend 
friend  solemnly  renewed  his  pastoral  covenant  with  you. 
May  I  not  charge  his  people  to  follow  his  example,  and  to 
renew  their  covenant  with  him  ;  that  they  will  succor  and 
uphold  him  ;  that  they  will  care  for  him  and  sympathize 
with  him  ;  that  they  will  pray  for  him  ? 

"Other  brief  addresses  were  delivered;  one  in  particu- 
lar by  Rev.  Theron  Baldwin,  Secretary  of  the  Collegiate 
Education  Society,  who  shrewdly  traced  a  connection 
between  this  occasion  and  the  fall  of  Fort  Donelson. 
The  influence  which  Dr.  Brainerd  exerted,  when  in  the 
Great  West  himself,  and  which  he  has  always  exerted  as 
the  active  friend  of  education  in  the  West,  has  aided  to 
train  the  brave  soldiers  of  that  region,  and  prepare  them 
fur  the  great  work  they  are  accomplishing  for  the  Republic. 
The  intense  feelings  of  the  people  found  vent  at  this  men- 
tion of  our  glorious  victory  in  a  great  and  prolonged  out- 
burst of  applause. 

"  William  Talcott,  Esq.,  an  Elder  in  the  First  Presby- 
terian Church,  Jersey  City,  said  he  had  been  invited  as  an 
early  friend  of  the  pastor  of  Pine  Street  Church.  He 
had  been  a  school-mate  of  Dr.  Brainerd ;  be  had  known 
him  when  he  wms  a  student  of  law,  and  when,  in  the 
great  religious  revival  at  Rome,  Xew  York,  he  gave  his 
heart  to  the  Saviour.  He  united  with  the  church  with 
Dr.  Brainerd;  sat  down  with  him  at  the  first  communion. 
He  loved  him  then,  and  was  glad  to  be  present  to  con- 
gratulate him  at  his  Quarter  Century  Festival. 


COMMEMORATION  FESTIVAL.  287 

"Mr.  P.  B.  Simons,  being-  call(Ml  up,  said  : — T)r.  Brai- 
nerd,  in  his  remarks,  j^ave  many  proofs  tliat  his  congreji-a- 
tion  are  not  fashionable, — a  truth  which  is  now  being  de- 
monstrated. The  fashionable  world  is  just  about  setting 
out  to  pass  the  evening,  while  we  are  all  anxious  at  this 
point  to  get  back  to  our  homes. 

"  Mr.  President,  I  too,  with  others  who  have  spoken, 
have  sacred  memories  crowding  upon  me  of  by-gone  days, 
passing  before  my  mind  like  some  great  panorama,  but, 
like  all  other  pictures,  with  its  light  and  shade.  Yes,  sir, 
it  is  not  all  bright.  There  are  forms  and  features  that  we 
do  not  see  to-night  that  were  wont  to  meet  with  us  upon 
such  jo\'ous  occasions.  Well  do  I  remember  the  old 
church  with  its  square  pews,  and  the  old  grave-yard 
which  contains  the  sacred  dust  of  those  we  loved,  and  the 
old  Green's  Court  Session  Room  with  its  little  Sabbath- 
school ;  and  how  fresh  in  my  mind  is  the  voice  of  the  'old 
man  eloquent,'  who  broke  to  us  the  bread  of  life  from  the 
old-fashioned  pulpit.         ****** 

"  And  I  remember,  too,  when  the  new  pastor  came  how 
anxious  we  were  to  see  his  face  and  hear  his  voice  ;  how 
we  listened  as  our  curiosity  was  being  gratified  ;  how  an 
interest  was  awakened  as  we  listened  that  Ave  had  never 
felt  before  ;  and  then  how  soon  after  we  were  found  twice 
a  week  in  the  study  to  talk  upon  a  subject  we  had  so 
often  promised  to  attend  to,  and  to  this  time  had  always 
neglected. 

"  Mr.  President,  of  all  other  emotions  that  fill  my  heart 
to-night,  the  greatest  is  that  of  gratitude ;  that  I,  with 
many  here  around  me,  in  the  providence  of  God  was  per- 
mitted to  receive  my  early  religious  training  in  the  Old 
Pine  Street  Church.  I  stand  before  you  to-night  as  the 
first  fruits  of  Dr.  Brainerd's  ministrv  in  this  city;  and  I 
will  close  my  remarks  by  offering  a  sentiment — yes,  some- 
thing more  sacred  than  a  sentiment — a  prayer,  in  which 


288        LIFE  OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRATNERD,  D.D. 

you  will  all  join,  that  the  beloved  pastor  may  live  to  cele- 
brate the  Fiftieth  Anniversary  of  his  ministry ;  and  that 
'  Old  Pine  Street  Church'  may  stand  for  ages  untold  as  a 
beacon  light  upon  the  shores  of  time  to  point  way-woru 
mariners  to  the  haven  of  eternal  rest. 

"The  speaking  and  social  congratulations  were  con- 
tinued until  half-past  ten  o'clock,  when  the  meeting 
was  dismissed  with  the  Apostolic  Benediction  by  the 
pastor." 


Fraternal  Eesponse  from  Rev.  Henry  Ward  Beecher. 
A    CHURCH    SILVER   WEDDING. 

From  'TAe  Independent,''  February  27th,  1862. 

"  The  twenty-fifth  anniversary  of  his  pastorate  over  the 
Pine  Street  Church  was  recently  celebrated  by  Dr.  Brai- 
nerd  and  his  parishioners,  in  Philadeli)hia.  The  occasion 
seems  to  have  been  deej)ly  interesting.  There  are  few 
such  scenes  on  earth  as  such  a  Christian  meeting.  A 
quarter  of  a  century  in  a  pastor's  life  !  How  many  children 
have  grown  up  into  manhood  about  him  ;  how  many  that 
Avere  young  have  become  old  ;  how  many  of  the  aged  are 
not,  because  God  hath  taken  them  !  What  hours  of  trouble 
has  his  presence  cheered  !  how  many  have  been  consoled 
in  sickness,  counseled  in  difficulties,  succored  in  temptation, 
rebuked  and  entreated  !  How  many  have  been  aroused 
and  led  through  the  dark  way,  and  to  the  rising  light 
of  the  Sun  of  righteousness  !  Ko  other  profession  lies  so 
close  upon  the  border  of  disinterested  benevolence,  or  deals 
so  nearly  with  absolute  truth  as  the  gospel  ministry.  Its 
Avhole  aim  is  to  make  men  good  and  noble.  It  has  its  cares 
and  burdens.  But  they  are  fewer  than  in  any  other  call- 
ing, and  its  joys  and  p'easures  are  a  hundredfold  greater. 


A    CHURCH  SILVER    WEDDING.  2S9 

Even  in  the  rudest  settlements,  amid  the  discomforts  of 
pioneer  life,  with  weariness,  sickness,  and  poverty,  such  is 
the  incomparable  joy  of  a  true  minister  of  Christ,  that  he 
would  not  relinquish  his  privilege  of  suffering-  with  Christ 
for  any  earthly  boon. 

"Althoug-h  somewhat  late,  Dr.  Brainerd  will  allow 
us  to  add  our  congratulations  to  those  of  his  immediate 
parishioners,  and  our  good  wishes  for  his  future  prosper- 
ity. He  will  not  forget  the  da3"s  when  Cincinnati  had 
scant  thirty  thousand  inhabitants;  when  its  manufactories 
were  just  struggling  into  existence  ;  when  he  labored  in 
true  missionary  spirit  along  the  river,  among  the  strag- 
gling population  that  was  then  fnnging  the  city! 

"  He  will  not  forget,  either,  the  Cincinnati  Journal, 
published  by  Corey  and  Fairbanks,  and  edited  by  one 
Thomas  Brainerd,  whose  pen  filled  it  with  pointed  sen- 
tences and  brilliant  paragraphs.  He  will  not  forget  the  great 
controversy  between  the  Old  and  New  School  Presbyte- 
rians ;  the  divided  Presbyteries,  the  vigilant  watch  which 
each  side  kept  upon  the  other  ;  the  tactics  that  prevailed 
to  prevent  a  sudden  vote  being  sprung  upon  a  thin  house. 
He  will  not  be  likely  to  forget  the  renowned  conflict  in 
Presbytery  and  Synod  between  Drs.  Wilson  and  Beecher. 
The  Presbyterian  church  on  Fourth  Street,  in  Cincinnati, 
will  alwa3's  be  memorable  for  the  grand  debate  between 
these  two  champions  of  the  Old  and  the  New. 

"  Dr.  Brainerd  will  perhaps  remember  venerable  Dr. 
Bishop,  too,  President  of  Miami  University,  learned  in 
Scotch  learning — w'hose  tongue  could  never  forget  the 
Scotch  accent  and  twist — who  was  a  sound  theologian, 
but  a  yet  sounder  man.  Over  six  feet  high,  if  he  would 
only  stand  up,  which  he  seldom  did,  with  light  hair,  and 
very  little  of  it,  of  a  blue  eve,  under  a  high  and  broad  fore- 
head, with  a  face  reverend  and  full  of  benignity. 

"  We  see  the  noble  old  doctor,  in  the  lecture-room  of  the 
25* 


290        LIFE   OF  REV.  THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

Second  Presbyterian  Church  in  Cincinnati,  walking  up  and 
down  ill  the  l)ack  of  tlie  room,  calm  and  sweet-faced,  while 
the  battle  of  disputation  was  raging  in  the  front  part.  As 
the  heat  became  dangerous,  the  discussion  was  suddenly 
arrested  by  a  voice.  All  looked  at  the  old  doctor,  now 
turned  full  upon  them,  and  straightened  up  to  his  full 
height;  and  with  a  voice  clear,  firm,  commanding,  but  not 
loud, — '  Moderator,  sing  Salva-a-tion.'  Then  one  might 
have  seen  a  sight  worthy  of  Rembrandt's  pencil.  Some 
ready  singer  instantly  raised  the  tune,  '  Salvation,  oh  the 
joyful  sound.'  Very  joyful,  to  men  hot  with  argument ; 
to  good  men  red  in  the  face  ;  to  men  pushing  an  adversary 
with  fierce  logical  fidelity  !  But,  the  hymn  over,  the  old 
man  walked  slowly  and  solemnly  up  and  down  as  before, 
while  the  members  recommenced  the  business,  quite  soothed 
and  softened.  But,  in  an  hour,  the  flame  was  again  shoot- 
ing forth  to  every  part  of  the  room,  when  suddenly  the 
strong  Scotch  accent  sounded  out  peace  again, — '  Modera- 
tor, let  us  pra-ay  !'  Some  resented  such  interruption.  One 
man  overhastily  blurted  out,  'Mr.  Moderator,  this  is  too 
bad;  it's  no  time  for  prayer  now.'  But  the  absurdity  of 
the  protest  by  a  minister  among  ministers,  set  every  one 
to  laughter,  which  always  humanizes — and  to  prayer  they 
had  to  come. 

"  Dr.  Brainerd  was  sent  to  the  General  Assembly  meet- 
ing at  Philadelphia.  Having  a  taste  of  his  preaching,  the 
Pine  Street  Church  had  the  good  sense  to  want  more. 
Accepting  a  settlement,  the  Cincinnati  Journal  needed 
an  editor.  There  was  at  that  time  in  the  middle  class  of 
Lane  Seminary  a  green  young  man  of  some  facility  of 
pen.  He  had  written  a  series  of  anonymous  articles  on  the 
Catholic  question  in  the  evening  paper  edited  by  Mr. 
Thomas.  He  was  considered  rather  'tonguey,'  and  not 
likely  to  back  down  from  anything  for  want  of  hopefulness 
and  self-confidence.     Him  Dr.  Brainerd  called  to  the  chair; 


HISTORY   OF  PINE  STREET  CHURCH.  291 

and,  on  relinquishing  the  editorship,  recommended  this 
beardless  youth  to  the  proprietors  of  the  journal  as  his  suc- 
cessor. One  fine  morning*  this  young  man  found  himself 
an  editor  upon  a  salary  !  An  editor  must  have  a  coat ; 
and  riatt  Evans  made  a  lion-skin  overcoat  that  has  never 
had  a  successor  or  equal.  He  must  have  a  watch  !  A 
plain  white-faced  g'old  watch  soon  ticked  in  his  pocket. 
Alas  !  evil  days  befell  the  publishers.  Even  Gallaher's 
Watts  Entire  could  not  save  them.  The  paper  had  a  new 
owner.  He  did  not  want  the  young-  editor.  The  young 
editor  did  want  the  watch,  but  could  not  pay  for  it ;  the 
seller  took  it  back,  to  the  great  grief  of  the  young  theolo- 
gian, who  went  back  disconsolate  to  his  classes  at  Lane 
Seminary,  and  was  broken-hearted  for  a  whole  day.  The 
3'oung  man  recovered,  and  has  been  in  mischief  ever  since, 
some  folks  think. 

"  But  our  dear  Dr.  Brainerd  has  been  steadily  working, 
in  season  and  out,  with  fervent  spirit  and  fertile  brain  and 
sympathetic  heart.  Hundreds  have  gone  home  to  glory 
from  his  spiritual  family.  Hundreds  are  on  the  way. 
Long  may  it  be  before  he  shall  meet  his  heavenly  church! 
But  when  that  day  shall  come,  may  he  find  Him  whom  he 
has  served  so  long  nearest  to  his  emerging  spirit ;  and 
then,  in  radiant  crowds,  and  with  overflowing  joy,  those 
who  shall  bring  him  into  that  sacred  city  to  which  he  had 
first  directed  them." 


In  the  short  history  of  Pine  Street  Church,  before 
alluded  to,  published  in  1857,  Dr.  Brainerd  says  of  the 
church  : 

"  The  people  among  themselves  and  toward  their  pastor 
have  '  studied  the  things  that  make  for  peace.'  The  pastor 
has  loved  the  people  of  his  charge,  identified  himself  with 


202        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

tlieir  interests,  confided  in  them,  and  never  been  dissatis- 
fied with  iiis  lot,  nor  disappointed  in  their  affection. 
********* 

"  For  almost  a  century  the  church  has,  at  no  time,  been 
left  desolate.  It  has  yiever  quarreled  xcilh  one  of  its  six 
pastors.  Xo  pastor  ever  left  '  Old  Pine  Street  Church' 
but  of  his  own  choice,  and  for  what  he  regarded  as  a 
better  field  for  health  or  usefulness.  God's  ministers  have 
ever  been  treated  with  kindne.-^s,  forbearance,  and  respect. 
The  church  has  enjoyed  nearly  one  hundred  years  of  uni- 
form peace,  competence,  and  prosperity,  and  was  never 
more  influential,  hopeful,  and  happy  than  at  the  present 
time.  It  has  been  always  characterized  by  great  good  fel- 
lowship among  the  members,  rich  and  poor;  by  an  earnest 
love  to  pra3'er-meetings  and  revivals  of  religion ;  by  a  de- 
sire to  hear  plain  truths  in  plain  language,  and  by  a  will- 
ingness to  labor  and  sacrifice,  for  the  general  interests  of 
the  church  of  God.  As  the  fathers  have  passed  awa}^, 
God  has  so  replenished  the  church  by  revivals  of  religion, 
and  so  '  turned  the  hearts  of  the  children'  to  the  good  ways 
of  their  fathers,  that  the  congregation  has,  in  its  age,  all 
the  enthusiasm  and  energy  of  a  fresh  manhood. 

"  The  following  hymn,  composed  by  the  pa.stor  for  the 
children  of  the  Sabbath-school,  has  been  often  sung  in  the 
old  church.  We  insert  it  here,  in  the  hope  that  it  will  be 
sung  there,  by  hearts  as  warm,  for  one  hundred  years  to 
come  : 

"'OLD  PINE  STREET  CHURCH.'" 

"  Tune — '  There  is  a  happy  luiid.' 

"  Old  Pine  Street  Church  I  love ! 
Full  ninety  years — 
Leading  the  heart  above, 
An  J  hushing  fears — 


SABBATH-SCHOOL   HYMN.  293 

Its  ancient  walls  have  stood, 
Reared  by  the  wise  and  good, 
To  yield  a  balm,  that  could 
Dry  human  tears. 

"Old  Pine  Street  Church  I  prize; 
And  well  I  may  ; 
My  mother  in  yon  skies 
Here  learned  the  way  : 
My  father  too  here  trod 
The  way  that  leads  to  God ; 
He  sleeps  beneath  yon  sod; 
Here  let  me  pray  ! 

"  And  shorter  graves  are  near 
Thy  sacred  fane ; 
My  gentle  sister  dear 

They  here  have  lain  ; 
My  brother  too  here  sleeps, 
Where  rose  or  wild-flower  creeps, 
And  love  in  sadness  weeps 
The  early  slain. 

"Old  Pine  Street  Church,  my  heart 

Still  clings  to  thee  ; 
I  well  may  claim  a  part 

In  each  old  tree  ; 
For  in  their  summer  shade 
My  early  footsteps  strayed. 
And  my  first  vows  were  made, 

Oh,  God,  to  Thee  ! 

"  Old  Pine  Street  Church,  thy  gates 
Yet  open  stand  ; 
And  there  in  mercy  waits 

The  Teacher  band — 
Who' by  the  truth  would  guide 
All  to  the  Saviour's  side, 
And  through  Him  open  wide 
A  better  land. 

"  Old  Pine  Street  Church  !— that  hour 
When  life  is  o'er, 
And  sin  with  tempting  power 
Can  vex  no  more  ; 


294        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

Oh,  let  ray  grave  be  found 
In  thy  long  cherished  ground, 
Where  saint?  may  me  surround 
Till  time  is  o'er." 

During  Dr.  Brainerd's  ministry  of  thirty  years,  lie  re- 
ceived to  the  communion  of  the  church  over  twelve  hun- 
dred members  ;  l)aptized  more  than  eight  hundred  persons  ; 
attended  one  thousand  and  eighty  funerals  ;  and  solem- 
nized over  eight  hundred  marriages. 

The  Synod  of  Pennsylvania  met  at  Wilmington,  Dela- 
Avare,  October,  18G2.  The  preamble  and  resolutions  on 
"  The  State  of  the  Country,"  were  drawn  up  and  offered 
by  Dr.  Brainerd.  In  the  following  year  the  Synod  met  at 
Washington,  D.  C,  and  the  action  of  the  last  General 
Assembly  was  adopted  as  the  expression  of  its  views  on 
this  subject. 

Rev.  John  C.  Smith,  D  D.,  Moderator,  Eev.  Thomas 
Brainerd,  and  Rev.  E.  E.  Adams  were  appointed  a  com- 
mittee to  wait  upon  the  President  and  inquire  when  it 
would  be  convenient  for  him  to  receive  the  Synod. 

"  Thursday,  Oct.  22d,  186.3. 

"  The  Synod  proceeded  in  a  body  to  the  Presidential 
Mansion,  and  were  introduced  in  the  East  Room  to  Presi- 
dent Lincoln,  by  Rev.  J.  C.  Smith,  D.D.,  Chairman  of  the 
Committee.  Brief  addresses  were  made  by  the  Modera- 
tor, Rev.  W.  Aikman,  and  by  Rev.  T.  Brainerd,  D.D., 
and  Rev.  E.  E.  Adams,  members  of  the  Committee.  The 
President  briefly  responded,  recognizing  the  hand  of  Provi- 
dence in  his  elevation  to  his  present  position  at  this  crisis, 
and  his  dependence  upon  God  and  upon  the  sympathies 
and  prayers  of  '  the  noble  churches  of  which  the  Synod 
were  the  noble  representatives. '  After  which  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Synod  took  the  President  by  the  hand  and 
pa.^^sed  out,  most  favorably  and  deeply  impressed  with  the 


THE  SYNOD'S    VISIT  TO  PRESIDENT  LINCOLN.      295 

unaffected  manners  and  devout  expressions  of  our  Chief 
Magistrate. 

Although  expecting  the  Synod  by  appointment,  Presi- 
dent Lincoln  was  unavoidably  detained  for  some  minutes. 
He  sent  a  characteristic  message  to  the  Synod,  telling  the 
clergymen  that  "  The\^  must  fall  back  on  the  Old  Testa- 
ment, and  exercise  the  patience  of  Job." 


CHAPTER  XIY. 

CURRENT  EVENTS — ANECDOTES. 

THERE  ahvays  Pcemed  to  be  a  general  impression 
among  the  intimate  friends  of  Dr.  Brainerd  that  his 
mental  structure  peculiar]}'  fitted  him  for  the  legal  profes- 
sion. When  an  abstruse  or  knotty  question  came  up  for 
discussion  in  the  "Pastoral  Association,"  it  was  quite 
common  for  some  one  to  say,  "  Let  us  hear  what  the  law- 
yer says  about  it,"  referring  to  Dr.  Brainerd. 

Speaking  of  the  pecuniary  sacrifices  of  the  ministerial 
calling,  Rev.  Albert  Barnes  once  said  in  the  "  Associa- 
tion," that  "  Dr.  Brainerd  could  have  made  twelve  thou- 
sand dollars  a  year  b}'  the  law  as  easih^  as  he  could  make 
one  thousand  ;  therefore,  he  has  given  fen  thousand  dollars 
a  year  for  the  privilege  of  j)reaching  the  gospel.''^ 

In  a  pleasant  interchange  of  compliments,  published  in 
the  American  Presbyterian,  in  1861,  Mr.  Barnes  said  of 
his  fellow-laborer  : 

"  He  was  entering  on  his  career  with  every  prospect  of 
the  most  brilliant  success,  and  with  a  moral  certainty  of 
reaching  the  highest  eminence  in  his  profession.  Had  he 
continued  to  devote  himself  to  the  law,  long  ere  this  time 
he  would  have  been  in  the  first  rank  in  that  profession. 
But  the  heart  of  the  young  la\v3'er  was  changed  by  the 
grace  of  God,  and  he  resolved  at  once  to  abandon  his 
chosen  profession.  ******* 

"  For  twenty-five  years  he  has  been  the  pastor  of  the 
(296) 


CURRENT  EVENTS.  297 

Old  Pine  Street  Church,  in  this  city.  During  all  that 
time,  though  often  struggling  with  feeble  health,  by  his 
unequalcd  mastery  of  language,  by  his  strength  of  logic, 
by  his  striking  and  commanding  power  of  thought,  by  his 
comprehensive  views,  by  his  tact  and  talent  in  grasping 
his  subject,  and  in  infusing  the  warmth  of  his  own  soul 
and  his  own  enthusiasm  into  the  hearts  of  his  hearers,  by 
his  unflinching  fidelity  to  truth  and  to  his  own  denomination, 
and  his  rebukes  of  bigotry,  injustice^,  and  wrong;  by  his 
influence  over  men  of  thought  and  wealth  ;  by  his  firm 
opposition  to  all  that  was  intended  to  alienate  or  divide 
the  churches  ;  by  his  warm  advocacy  of  the  great  causes 
of  truth  and  charity,  and  by  his  faithfulness  as  a  preacher 
and  a  pastor,  he  has,  by  the  grace  of  God,  made  himself 
in  the  ministry  what  he  would  have  been  at  the  bar — a 
man  felt  to  be  needful  in  our  city,  a  man  that  '  Old  Pine 
Street'  could  not  spare,  a  man  that  his  brethren  could  not 
spare  from  the  ministry  here." 

In  Dr.  Brainerd's  daily  horseback  rides,  he  often  en- 
countered friends  whose  society  gave  a  social  zest  to  the 
exercise.  Among  these,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Newton,  of  the 
Episcopal  Church,  whom  he  had  known  and  loved  for 
many  years,  was  always  a  welcome  companion  on  the  road. 
Riding  home  together  one  evening,  they  agreed  to  go  out 
in  company  the  next  morning  before  breakfast.  Each  was 
to  ride  toward  the  hou.se  of  the  other,  by  a  given  route, 
until  they  should  meet.  Mr.  Brainerd  was  a  little  behind 
time  in  the  morning,  and  met  Dr.  Newton  within  a  square 
of  his  house.  Forestalling  the  merited  rebuke  for  his 
tardiness,  Mr.  Brainerd  exclaimed,  "  This  is  just  what  I 
expected  of  you,  Dr.  Newton ;  I  knew  you  would  meet  the 
Presbyterians  more  than  half  way  !" 

In  May,  1862,  the  body  of  Major-General  Charles  F. 
Smith,  who  died  of  wounds  received  ia  the   capture   of 

26 


298   LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAIKERD,  D.D. 

Fort  Donelson,  was  brought  home  to  his  native  citj  for 
interment.  He  was  the  grandson  of  Rev.  John  Blair 
Smith,  D.D.,  the  second  pastor  of  Pine  Street  Church,  and 
was  baptized  in  this  church  in  his  infancy.  As  both  his 
paternal  and  maternal  grandparents  were  buried  here,  a  lot 
was  tendered  to  the  family  of  General  Charles  F.  Smith, 
by  the  Trustees  of  Pine  Street  Church,  but  arrangements 
had  previously  been  made  for  his  interment  at  Laurel  Hill 
Cemetery.  Mr.  Bratnerd  attended  his  funeral,  in  connec- 
tion with  other  clergymen  of  the  city. 

At  short  intervals,  a  number  of  the  young  men  from 
his  church  were  borne  from  the  l)attle-field  to  their  last 
resting-place,  until  Dr.  Brainerd  had  spoken  words  of  love 
and  honor  over  the  lifeless  remains  of  Iweniy  whom  he  saw 
go  forth  in  the  strength  of  early  manhood  to  the  fearful 
conflict.  These  occasions  took  hold  of  the  very  fibers  of 
his  soul,  and  shook  his  nerves,  as  if  he  were  laying  his 
own  children  in  the  grave.  Besides  these,  he  attended  the 
funerals  of  a  number  of  young  soldiers  from  the  Union 
Refreshment  Saloon  Hospital,  and  other  places  in  the 
city. 

During  the  first  years  of  the  war.  Dr.  Brainerd  was 
favored  with  a  great  many  anonymous  letters,  circulars, 
and  printed  extracts  from  disloyal  journals.  One  of  these 
letters,  dated  from  the  "  Continental  Hotel,"  warned  him 
to  "  leave  the  city  in  three  days,  as  he  was  known  and 
marked  for  a  Black  Republican."  He  tossed  the  note  into 
the  fire,  with  a  quiet  smile,  and  went  out  to  see  how  he 
could  best  counteract  and  arrest  the  treason  at  the  North, 
more  difficult  to  meet  than  the  Southern  bayonets. 

No  one  ever  uttered  a  disloyal  sentiment  or  treasonable 
expression  in  his  presence  without  meeting  a  stern  rebuke. 
A  citizen  of  some  standing  in  the  community  from  his  age, 
connections,  and  wealth,  entered  a  store  where  Dr.  Brai- 
nerd was  conversing  with  a  number  of  friends,  and  com- 


CURRENT  EVENTS.  299 

nieiiced  a  general  abuse  of  the  government,  with  all  the 
measures  adopted  by  its  executive  officers. 

As  soon  as  a  pause  permitted,  Dr.  Brainerd  said,  "Any 
man  who  expresses  such  sentiments  at  a  time  like  this,  is 
a  traitor  to  his  country  f'' 

The  person  thus  addressed  inquired,  angrily,  if  that 
was  intended  for  Mm.  Dr.  Brainerd  repeated,  with  greater 
emphasis,  "Any  man  ivho  ridiculeH  and  abuses  the  gov- 
ernment of  his  country  in  its  struggles  to  sujjpress  treason 
and  rebellion,  is  a  traitor,  and  should  be  dealt  with  as  a 
traitor.^' 

The  Copperhead  vented  his  anger  in  a  few  threatening 
epithets,  but  finding  no  sympathy  in  the  by-standers,  left 
the  store. 

Another  time,  in  conversation  with  one  of  the  neutral 
clergymen  of  Philadelphia,  of  whom  it  was  said  in  regard 
to  a  recent  speech, — that  it  was  impossible  to  tell  on  which 
side  of  the  conflict  his  sympathies  were  enlisted.  Dr.  Brai- 
nerd said  :  "  I  thank  God,  it  will  never  be  doubtful,  when 
this  war  is  ended,  whether  I  sympathized  with  my  country 
or  her  enemies  !" 

Dr.  Brainerd  deliberately  withdrew  from  all  further  in- 
tercourse with  two  clergymen  who  were  open  secessionists, 
on  account  of  their  hostile  and  dangerous  attitude  in  regard 
to  the  liberties  of  the  country. 

The  interest  which  Dr.  Brainerd  had  alwaN^s  manifested 
in  the  colored  people  residing  in  the  south  part  of  the  city, 
led  them  to  appeal  to  him  for  advice  and  direction  in  what- 
ever concerned  their  well-being.  At  the  very  commence- 
ment of  the  civil  war  they  evinced  a  strong  desire  to  give 
some  substantial  proof  of  their  S3'mpathy  with  the  govern- 
ment. Many  of  the  most  intelligent  among  them  came  to 
Dr.  Brainerd  to  inquire  what  they  could  do.  "Can't  we 
drill — so  as  to  be  prepared  to  enlist  for  the  defense  of  the 
country?"  they  asked.     "Not  yet,"  he  replied — "  at  least 


300        LIFE   OF  REV.  THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

not  openly  ;  the  time  may  soon  come  when  your  services 
will  1)0  required  and  appreciated." 

They  did  drill,  in  secret  places,  without  arms,  and  went 
with  the  army  in  every  capacity  in  which  they  were 
allowed  to  engage,  as  waiters,  nurses,  and  messengers. 
From  the  beginning  they  saw  in  this  conflict  the  distant 
prospect  of  their  own  emancipation. 

In  a  statement  of  Mr.  Brainerd's,  published  in  the  Bulle- 
tin in  the  summer  of  1861,  he  says : 

"  We  perceive  that  Southern  papers  chronicle  with  great 
satisfaction  the  fact  that  slaves  are  employed  on  the  forti- 
fications at  Pensacola,  Charleston,  and  Norfolk — that  the 
free  colored  men  of  New  Orleans  are  armed,  and  invited  to 
take  stock  in  the  loan  of  the  Confederate  government. 

"  Our  colored  men  North  are  not  indifferent.  One  of 
them  yesterday  presented  a  horse,  worth  five  hundred  dol- 
lars, to  the  State.  Others,  in  a  quiet  way,  are  drilling 
without  arms,  but  in  preparation  to  defend  their  homes,  if 
a  Southern  army  reaches  the  city.  We  cannot  muster 
them  into  the  ranks,  but  we  approve  their  patriotism." 

Dr.  Brainerd's  son  owned  a  bright  little  terrier  that 
ventured  out  one  evening  without  his  muzzle,  during  the 
"  reign  of  terror  "  under  the  "  dog-law."  He  wore  a  collar 
with  his  owner's  name  engraved  on  it.  The  front  door- 
bell was  rung  at  a  late  hour  in  the  evening  by  a  colored 
man,  who  led  the  dog  home  by  tying  his  silk  pocket-hand- 
kerchief to  the  collar.  When  the  door  was  opened,  he  said, 
"  I  found  by  the  name  that  this  was  your  dog,  and  I  feared 
he  would  be  taken  in  the  morning  by  the  dog-catchers." 
The  young  man  turned  hastily  and  went  down  the  steps 
before  the  person  addressed  could  thank  him  or  inquire  his 
name. 

Many  such  instances  of  consideration  and  kindness  Dr. 
Brainerd  received  from  his  colored  neighbors  during  his 
residence  in  Pine  Street. 


CURRENT  EVENTS.  301 

A  colored  Methodist  congreg-ation,  of  the  most  demon- 
strative type,  occupied  a  small  church  in  the  rear  of  Dr. 
Brainerd's  house.  After  a  very  nois}^  meeting  one  evening, 
Dr.  Brainerd  said  to  one  of  the  members,  as  he  left  the 
house,  "  You  have  made  a  great  deal  of  noise  hero  to- 
night !" 

"  Better  make  it  here  than  in  hell,"  was  the  prompt 
reply. 

Dr.  Brainerd  was  so  much  amused  with  this  retort  that 
a  few  weeks  after  he  again  said,  as  one  of  their  meetings 
broke  up,  "  You  have  had  a  very  noisy  meeting." 

"  Well,  now,"  said  the  person  addressed,  "  if  a  man  has 
the  '  spirit ''  in  him  he  can't  keep  still;  a  live  child  cries — 
a  dead  one  is  still." 

Dr.  Brainerd  thought  they  rather  had  the  advantage  of 
him  in  both  cases. 

While  a  colored  barber  was  wrapping  up  a  pair  of  razors 
he  had  been  setting.  Dr.  Brainerd  was  talking  with  him 
about  the  social  condition  of  the  race.  He  told  him  that 
the  colored  people  must  get  rich — and  when  any  of  theni 
should  be  worth  a  million  of  dollars  that  people  would 
take  off  their  hats  to  him  half  a  square  distant.  When 
called  to  pay  for  the  razors,  he  was  charged  just  double 
the  ordinary  amount.  On  expressing  some  surprise  at 
this  charge,  the  barber  replied,  "  I  thought  I  would  begin 
to  put  your  advice  into  practice  ;  it  will  be  long  before  we 
get  rich  on  our  present  prices,  or  in  our  present  circum- 
stances." 

In  1863,  Dr.  Brainerd  was  appointed  one  of  the  Board 
of  Visitors  to  attend  the  examination  of  cadets  at  the 
Militaiy  Academy  at  West  Point,  commencing  the  first  of 
June.  The  thorough  investigations  of  the  Board  im- 
pressed him  more  than  ever  with  the  beauty,  the  order, 
and  the  efficiency  of  the  institution  ;  while  the  exigencies 
of  the  country  suggested  the  importance  of  increasing  its 

26* 


302        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

capacity  for  usefulness,  as  well  as  employing  fully  those 
already  possessed,  which  had  never  been  the  case  hereto- 
fore. 

The  fortnight  occupied  in  this  examination  was  full  of 
interest ;  while  some  objects,  appealing  to  his  professional 
sympathies,  excited  his  deepest  emotions. 

One  of  these  was  the  weekly  prayer-meeting  of  the 
cadets.  It  was  a  touching  sight  to  see  a  handful  of  these 
young  men  meet  resolutely  every  week  for  prayer,  taking 
their  seats  in  a  stone-paved  basement  room  with  military 
precision  and  vprightnes^s.  The  meeting  was  continued 
through  the  whole  year,  without  a  fire  in  the  severe 
months  of  winter.  Dr.  Brainerd  met  with  them  during 
his  visit,  encouraging  the  young  men  by  his  hearty  appro- 
bation. He  urged  upon  the  officers  and  the  chaplain  of 
the  post  the  claims  of  this  little  band  to  their  sympathy 
and  co-operation,  and  received  the  assurance  that  they 
should  have  enlarged  privileges  and  the  comfort  of  a  warm 
room  in  the  winter. 

While  solving  a  mathematical  problem  at  the  black- 
board, one  of  the  cadets  retained  his  perfect  military  atti- 
tude and  bearing  under  a  fainting  fit,  until  he  fell  like  a 
statue  to  the  floor.  Dr.  Brainerd  said  he  was  impressed 
with  the  value  of  the  physical  training  which  could  enable 
a  man  to  stand  with  such  self-possession  in  circumstances 
so  trying.* 

The  intervals  of  relief  from  the  sessions  of  the  Board 
were  delightfully  occupied  in  exploring  the  places  of  his- 
toric interest  in  this  fascinating  region ;  visiting  Washing- 
ton's head-quarters  at  Newburg,  and  "  Warner's  Island," 
on  which  are  the  remains  of  fortifications  constructed  in 
the  revolutionary  war.  The  island  is  now  the  property 
and  the  residence  of  the  popular  authors  of  "  Wide,  Wide 
World,"  "  Queechy,"  etc. 

But  he  could  not  stop  here  long.     This  season  was  the 


CURRENT  EVENTS.  303 

very  crisis  of  the  country's  peril.  The  long-  heart-sicktiess 
over  the  siesre  of  Richmond  was  broken  by  the  inv^asion  of 
Pennsylvania  by  Lee's  army.  This  event  roused  the 
whole  North  to  that  concentrated  vigorous  effort  which 
virtually  struck  the  death-blow  to  the  rebellion.  Dr. 
Brainerd  reached  home  on  the  16th  of  June,  to  find  Phil- 
adelphia in  a  state  of  intense  excitement  from  the  vicinity 
of  the  rebel  array.  For  months  previous  to  this  time 
every  availaljle  military  force  had  been  sent  forward  to 
support  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  leaving  not  the  shadow 
of  defense  for  Philadelphia,  which  as  little  apprehended 
an  attack  as  did  the  City  of  Boston. 

It  is  difficult  to  convey  a  correct  idea  of  the  state  of 
affairs  to  any  one  who  was  not  present.  All  business  was 
suspended ;  the  telegraph  wires  cut,  and  all  communica- 
tion interrupted ;  the  out-going  railway  trains  toward 
Harrisburg  were  stationary — the  cars  abandoned  and  the 
engines  collected  in  a  long  procession  for  greater  security 
and  protection ;  the  State  House  bell  tolling  through  the 
whole  day,  with  the  solemnity  of  a  funeral  dirge  as  well 
as  with  the  authoritative  notes  of  demand  and  warning; 
colored  refugees  from  Chambersburg,  Carlisle,  and  Gettys- 
burg coming  in  on  foot,  with  their  small  effects  in  every 
variety  of  package  and  bundle  that  could  be  carried  by 
hand ;  gathering  in  crowds  in  the  south  part  of  the  city, 
rehearsing  to  excited  listeners  their  fears  and  their  danger; 
the  hurried  movements  of  responsible  men,  meeting  in 
council  for  the  adoption  of  such  measures  as  were  practi- 
cable ;  the  groups  of  irresponsible  loungers,  gaping  with 
wonder  or  fearful  with  apprehension,  answering  appeals 
to  their  patriotism  with  the  assurance  of  their  willingness 
to  do  anything  if  they  only  knew  what  to  do; — all  these 
things  constituted  a  chapter  of  experience  which  will  never 
be  forgotten. 

Professor  Bache  arrived  from   Washington,  and  with 


304   LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

liis  corps  of  assistant  engineers  was  endeavoring  to  plan 
defenses  for  a  city,  approachable  by  a  dozen  avenues,  all 
equally  indefensible. 

Thirty  more  young  men  from  T)r.  Brainerd's  church 
went  out  for  the  "Emergency."  One  of  them  closed  his 
manufactory  and  took  fourteen  of  the  men  in  his  employ 
with  him  to  Harrisburg,  having  first  secured  thirty  dollars 
bounty  to  every  man  for  his  family  during  the  month  of 
his  absence. 

The  great  difficulty  seemed  to  be  the  want  of  officers  to 
organize  and  direct  the  willing  but  unskilled  populace.  Dr. 
Brainerd  urged  every  unoccupied  man  he  met  to  enlist  for 
the  defense  of  his  home  and  country.  Most  of  them  said 
they  would  go  if  they  had  any  one  to  lead  them.  "I  will 
lead  you,"  he  replied  ;  and  they  at  once  fell  into  line  and 
followed  him.  He  walked  the  streets  throughout  one  of 
the  hottest  days  of  the  summer,  until  he  recruited  a  whole 
company.  Meeting  Colonel  Childs, — an  ex-militia  officer 
before  the  war, — he  said,  "  You  are  just  the  man  we  want, 
Colonel  Childs;  these  men  are  ready  to  go  if  they  can 
have  a  leader."  Colonel  Childs  immediately  took  charge 
of  the  company,  saying,  "  Fall  in,  Dr.  Brainerd  !" — and 
through  the  whole  day  he  continued  to  persuade  and  en- 
courage men  to  meet  this  emergency  with  the  promptness 
it  demanded.  He  sent  to  his  house  for  a  large  flag  that 
had  been  presented  to  him,  which  was  raised  at  the  base- 
ment entrance  to  his  church,  converting  the  place  for  a  few 
davs  into  a  recruiting  depot,  where  volunteers  rallied  for 
this  urgent  service. 

Thus  closed  the  mouth  of  June.  On  the  first  day  of 
July,  three  Maine  regiments— nine  months'  men,  whose 
term  of  enlistment  had  expired— arrived  at  the  "  Union 
Refreshment  Saloon"  on  their  way  home.  Strong  hopes 
were  cherished  that  these  troops  could  be  retained  for  the 
defense  of  the  city  until  the  impending  danger  should  be 
])ast. 


CURRENT  EVENTS.  305 

The  late  Benjamin  Gerhard,  Esq.,  called  for  Dr.  Brai- 
nerd  in  the  middle  of  the  night,  between  one  and  two 
o'clock,  to  come  down  to  the  saloon  and  exert  his  influence 
in  persuading-  these  regiments  to  remain.  The  scene  was 
a  very  memorable  one.  It  was  a  bright,  still,  moonlight 
night ;  manj  prominent  citizens  were  present  with  mem- 
bers of  the  City  Council ;  the  troops  were  drawn  up  in 
line,  Avhile  Dr.  Brainerd  urged  them  by  every  motive  grow- 
ing out  of  the  imminent  peril  of  the  city  in  its  defenseless 
condition  ;  appealing  to  their  humanity,  their  patriotism, 
their  militar}'  reputation,  to  remain  for  ten  days  only ; — 
but  all  in  vain.  He  was  authorized  by  the  City  Council 
to  offer  to  every  man  fifty  dollars  bounty  for  his  ten  days' 
service.  All  of  the  officers  and  three  hundred  of  the  men 
consented  to  remain  ;  but  the  rest  cried,  "Home!  homeP'' 
at  the  close  of  each  appeal,  and  the  ofiBcers  were  obliged  to 
go  with  their  regiments  until  they  were  regularly  dis- 
banded. 

The  Clergy  and  the  Crisis. 

"  The  clergy  of  this  city,  of  all  denominations,  to  the 
number  of  over  one  hundred,  held  two  meetings  in  the 
Church  of  the  Epiphany,  as  heretofore  briefly  noticed. 
Rev.  Dr.  Nevin  was  called  to  the  chair,  and  addresses 
breathing  the  warmest  patriotism  and  courage  were  made 
by  a  number  of  divines.  The  feeling  as  gathered  from 
the  speeches  was,  that  in  view  of  the  present  crisis  the 
clergy  of  the  city  desired,  not  ofBcially  but  as  citizens 
and  men,  to  tender  their  services  to  the  Mayor  of  the 
city,  to  work  in  the  trenches,  shoulder  the  musket,  or  in 
any  way  whicii  his  judgment  should  dictate,  render  the 
most  eSicient  aid  in  defending  the  city  from  a  cruel  and 
malignant  foe,  and  preventing  the  longer  desecration  of 
the  soil  of  the  State  by  the  tread  of  the  invaders.  They 
feel  that  they  could  not  ask  members  of  their  congrega- 
tions and  other  citizens  to  rally  to  the  defense  of  their 


306        J^IFE   OF  REV.   TII03IAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

homes  unless  they  should  first  lead  the  way.  They  de- 
clared that  they  were  not  moved  primarily  to  this  demon- 
stration by  the  moral  influence  it  miglit  exert  in  arousing 
others  to  patriotic  and  manly  exertion,  but  from  the  deep 
conviction  that  it  was  their  duty,  as  it  was  their  desire, 
not  only  to  preach  and  pray,  but  to  pledge  their  muscle  to 
the  service  of  their  country. 

"Among  the  speakers  were  Rev.  Dr.  Brainerd,  Rev.  Dr. 
Newton,  Rev.  A.  Barnes,  Rev.  Dr.  Goddard,  and  others. 
During  the  afternoon  the  ministers  marched  in  a  body  to 
the  Mayor's  office,  where  they  met  many  other  clergymen, 
the  entire  number  representing  nearly  all  the  churches  in 
the  city,  and  the  scene  being  one  of  deep  interest.  Dr. 
Neviu  stated  the  object  which  they  had  in  view  in  thus 
tendering  their  services  in  the  cause  of  their  city  and 
State.  The  Mayor  was  deeply  affected.  He  remarked 
that  no  demonstration  during  the  crisis  had  so  deeply  af- 
fected him,  and  been  so  grateful  to  his  feelings.  There 
was,  in  his  opinion,  more  moral  power  in  this  movement 
of  the  united  clergy  of  Philadelphia  than  was  possessed 
by  the  civil  and  militar\^  authorities  combined.  He  ex- 
pected this  demonstration  would  have  an  influence  in 
arousing  the  communit}*  to  a  sense  of  their  duty  in  this 
hour  of  peril.  With  the  profoundest  feelings  of  gratitude 
on  his  own  part,  and  in  the  name  of  our  common  country, 
so  sacredly  loved  b}^  us  all,  he  thanked  them.  On  so 
short  a  notice  he  could  not  determine  in  what  way  their 
services  could  be  most  efficiently  employed,  but  that  he 
would  reply  after  a  consultation  with  General  Dana." 


MAJOR-GENERAL   DANA    TO    THE   CLERGY.      307 

Major-General  Dana  to  the  Clergy. 

"Head-quarters,  PniLAHELPniA,  Pa., 
"July  2d,  18fi3. 

"  Rev.  Dr.  Nevin,  Secretary  of  Committee  op 
Clergymen. 
"  Dear  Sir  : 

"  I  beg  you  will  remind  the  Committee  that  the  offer  of 
three  hundred  of  the  clergy  of  Philadelphia  and  vicinity  to 
work  on  the  fortifications  of  the  city  ha,s  not  been  lost 
sight  of 

"  I  am  frequently  called  on  b}^  some  of  them  to  inquire 
when  their  services  will  be  needed,  and  to  reannounce  that 
they  are  waiting  for  employment. 

"  The  chief  engineer,  Professor  Bache,  is  unable  as  yet 
to  assign  them  a  place.  The  city  authorities  have  put 
at  his  disposal  as  many  men  as  he  has  hitherto  been  able 
to  use.  As  the  work  progresses  your  services  will  be 
required. 

"If  inappropriate  for  me  to  express  my  gratificalion  at 
so  touching  an  example  of  a  conscientious  perforanance  of 
patriotic  duty  on  the  part  of  men  who  could  not  be  ex- 
pected to  neglect  a  call  of  that  nature,  I  may  at  least  be 
allowed  to  express  admiration  of  the  real  pleasure  they 
appear  to  take  In  anticipation  of  fulfilling  so  laborious  a 
task. 

"  I  trust  the  example  may  have  a  favorable  effect  on  all 
of  us,  and  may  influence  us  to  do  with  our  might  whatever 
our  hands  may  find  to  do,  and  in  such  an  exhibition  of 
lofty  devotion,  we  Avill  recognize  an  illustration  of  the 
proverb,  'Righteousness  exalteth  a  nation,  but  sin  is  a 
reproach  to  any  people.' 

"  With  great  respect,  your  servant, 

"N.  J.  T.  Dana,  Major-General'' 


308   LIFE   OF  REV.  THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

July  2d,  Dr.  Brainerd,  with  others,  took  part  in  the  ser- 
vices of  hiving-  the  corner-stone  of  Tabor  Presbyterian 
Church,  at  Eighteenth  and  Christian  Streets — built  en- 
tirely, from  foundation  to  turret,  by  the  liberality  of  Mat- 
thew Baldwin,  Esq.* 

The  battle  of  Gettysburg,  commencing  on  the  first  of 
July  and  continuing  for  three  days,  held  the  hearts  of  men 
in  fearful  suspense.  On  Saturday  and  Sunday,  car-loads 
of  wounded  men  were  brought  to  Philadelphia  directly 
from  the  field,  in  their  bloody  garments,  and  distributed  to 
the  diflferent  hospitals  throughout  the  city. 

A  note  was  sent  to  Dr.  Brainerd  toward  the  close  of  the 
Sabbath  morning  service,  from  the  Union  Refreshment 
Saloon,  requesting  linen,  bandages,  and  changes  of  under- 
clothing for  the  wounded  men  in  their  hospital,  seven 
hundred  and  fiftv  in  number.  This  note  was  read  to  the 
congregation,  the  afternoon  service  omitted,  and  the  rest 
of  the  day  devoted  to  receiving  and  delivering  the  gar- 
ments sent  in  by  the  congregation.  Dr.  Brainerd  carried 
down  twice,  in  a  wagon,  as  many  garments  as  could  be 
packed  in  it,  accompanied  by  a  member  of  his  church,  who 
held  on  his  lap  a  clothes-basket  of  the  largest  size,  filled 
with  delicacies  for  these  sufferers.  The  remaining  time 
was  occupied  in  affording  such  aid  at  the  hospital  as  cir- 
cumstances permitted.  Dr.  Brainerd  was  at  all  times 
ready  to  pray  with  the  dying  and  bury  the  dead. 

The  tide  of  battle  was  turning  ;  the  oppression  lighteu- 
ing  from  the  heart  by  the  victory  of  General  Meade 
at  Gettvsburg,  and  the  retreat  of  Lee's  army,  when  the 


*  "  It  was  during  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  when  rumors  of  disaster  filled 
the  air  and  made  the  heart  sick:  when  hastening  fugitives  were  coming 
to  tell  exaggerated  and  alarming  tales  of  the  near  approach  of  the  coun- 
try's enemies.  It  was  difficult  to  speak  with  hopefulness  of  the  work  un- 
dertaken ;  yet  this  beautiful  church  was  finished  and  dedicated  Dec.  15th, 
lS6i."— J/e»ioi>  nf  M.   W.  Baldiclii,  page  131. 


A   SOLEMNLY-IMPRESSIVE  SCENE.  309 

oountry  was  electrified  by  the  tcle_i>rnphic  news  of  the 
Surrender  of  Vicksburo  to  General  Grant,  on  the  ??a- 
lional  biiihdaij,  the  Fourth  of  July.  The  reaction  was 
as  great  as  the  previous  fear,  suspense,  and  anguish  had 
been. 

By  an  instinctive  impulse,  patriotic  men  congregated  at 
the  League  House,  as  the  place  where  the  truest  sympa- 
thy and  heartiest  congratulations  would  naturally  be  met. 
Dr.  Brainerd  hurried  to  this  spot,  while  at  the  same  time  a 
messenger  was  dispatched  to  his  house  with  the  following 
note,  missing  him,  of  course, — but  he  was  there  to  answer 
the  summons  in  person  : 

"  Dear  Sir: 

"  We  propose  to  give  thanks  to  God  at  five  o'clock  this 
afternoon,  at  Independence  Square,  for  the  successes  of  our 
arms.  You  are  requested  to  officiate.  Please  be  at  the 
League  House  at  five  o'clock  precisely. 

"  Very  truly, 

"  Charles  Gibbons. 
"  Rev.  Dr.  Bsainerd." 

We  cannot  give  a  narration  of  this  event  to  compare  in 
interest  with  the  report  published  at  the  time  in  the  North 
American.  However  well  remembered,  it  will  bear  re- 
peating. 

A  Solemnly-impressive  Scene. 

"We  have  read  of  the  first  prayer  offered  in  the  Conti- 
nental Congress,  and  of  the  sublimity  and  impressiveness 
of  the  scene,  as  the  assembled  body  knelt  while  Jehovah 
was  praised  for  the  workings  of  his  providence  in  ordain- 
ing freedom  to  America. 

"  Independence  Square  yesterday  saw  a  sight  emulating 
it  in  solemn  grandeur,  and  presenting  a  spectacle  Phila- 

27 


310        ^^^FE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

(U'lpliia  never  before  witnessed — never  raay  again.  The 
tidings  of  the  progress  of  the  Union  arms  brought  it  about. 
\Vhen  first  promulgated,  a  large  number  of  the  members  of 
the  Union  League  met  eoincidently  at  the  League  rooms. 
The  throng  increased  until  the  place  was  nearly  filled. 
Everybody  had  left  their  places  of  business,  and  the  mem- 
bers instinctively  sought  the  League  House  for  mutual  con- 
gratulation. 

"  It  was  proposed  that  something  more  than  an  informal 
recognition  of  so  bountiful  a  blessing  of  victory  should  be 
made,  and  the  gentlemen  present  took  steps  to  make  it. 
Birgfeld's  band  of  forty-six  instruments  was  secured,  and 
with  this  at  its  lead  the  Union  League,  headed  by  the 
llev.  Kingston  Goddard  and  Rev.  Dr.  Brainerd,  moved 
down  Chestnut  Street  to  Independence  Square. 

"  As  the  end  of  the  line  reached  the  Square,  all  uncov- 
ered. The  line  filed  to  right  and  left,  when  Hon.  Charles 
Gibbons  ascended  the  steps  of  Independence  Hall.  The 
concourse  of  people  that  now  poured  into  the  Square  were 
thousands  in  number.  They  spread  over  a  surface  beyond 
earshot  of  the  loudest  enunciation. 

"  Mr.  Gibljons  made  a  brief  address.  He  said  that  this 
day  the  l)eginning  of  the  end  is  in  view.  The  rebels  are 
losing  their  strongholds,  the  cause  of  the  Union  is  ap- 
proaching its  final  triumph.  He  drew  a  picture  of  what 
we  were  as  a  nation,  Avhat  we  are,  and  what,  in  God's 
providence,  we  shall  be.  He  spoke  briefly  and  to  the 
point,  but  was  so  overwhelmed  with  cheers  that  we  failed 
to  catch  his  speech  as  he  uttered  it. 

"  Rev.  Dr.  Brainerd  now  bared  his  head,  and  instinct- 
ively— we  believe  reverently,  as  by  an  intuitive  impulse — 
every  man  present  was  uncovered.  A  hush  fell  upon  the 
densely- crowded  assemblage  as  the  hand  of  the  reverend 
doctor  was  raised,  and  an  invitation  given  to  the  multitude 
to  follow  him  in  rendering  thanks  to  Heaven  for  its  many 


A   SOLEMNLY-IMPRESSIVE  SCENE.  311 

morcios,  and  for  crowning  the  arms  of  the  country  with 
victory. 

"  Amid  more  profound  silence,  we  verily  believe,  than  an 
equal  number  of  people  ever  kept  before,  Dr.  Brainerd  gave 
praise.  He  thanked  the  Almighty  for  the  victories  that 
were  now  crowning  our  arms.  He  had  chastened  us  in 
his  displeasure,  and  alike  in  that  chastening  as  now  in  the 
blessing  upon  our  work  he  recognized  the  hand  of  the 
Omnipotent.  He  implored  the  divine  blessing  upon  the 
country  and  its  people — that  religion,  and  truth,  and  justice 
might  take  the  place  of  pride  and  arrogance  and  vainglory, 
and  that  this  people  might  recognize  in  every  event  of  life 
the  ruling  of  divine  power.  He  prayed  for  the  President 
and  Cabinet;  for  the  continued  success  of  our  arms,  and 
for  the  restoration  of  our  national  unity  ;  for  liberty  to  the 
oppressed  ;  for  freedom  to  worship  God  everywhere,  and 
for  the  coming  of  that  day  when  his  kingdom  shall  extend 
over  the  whole  earth. 

"  When  at  the  close  of  his  prayer  the  Christian  minister 
pronounced  the  word  'Amen!'  the  whole  multitude  took  up 
the  Greek  dissyllable,  and  as  with  one  mighty  voice,  re- 
echoed it,  reverently  and  solemnly,  'Amen  !' 

"  While  this  prayer  was  being  offered,  the  band  silently 
disappeared.  As  the  final  word  of  the  supplication  was 
pronounced,  a  strain  of  sacred  music  burst  from  overhead. 
The  band  had  ascended  to  the  State  House  steeple,  and 
there  played  with  effect  that  no  tongue  can  adequately 
describe  the  air  of  Old  Hundred,  written  by  Martin  Luther 
two  centuries  ago. 

"  Spontaneously  a  gentleman  mounted  a  post,  and  started 
the  melody  to  the  words, 

'Praise  God  from  whom  all  blessings  flow.' 

"  The  whole  multitude  caught  it  up,  and  a  doxology  was 
sung  with  a  majesty  that  Philadelphia  never  before  heard. 


312        LIFE   OF  REV.  THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

Every  voice  united.  The  monster  oratorios  that  we  have 
heard,  with  a  vocal  chorus  of  three  hundred  singers,  dwin- 
dled into  insignificance  in  comparison  to  it.  Rev.  Dr. 
Goddard  then  pronounced  the  benediction,  and  tlie  vast 
audience  again  covered  themselves  and  slowly  dis[)ersed. 
The  whole  scene  Mas  remarkable.  It  was  a  touching 
illustration  of  the  fact  that  down  deep  in  every  man's  heart, 
no  matter  what  may  be  the  utterances  of  his  lip,  or  his 
daily  walk  and  conversation,  there  is  a  recognition  of  the 
fact  that  the  Lord  reigneth." 

In  this  acme  of  the  nation's  agony  it  Avill  be  remem- 
bered that  the  City  of  New  York  was  under  mob  rule  and 
mob  law.  As  if  treason  and  civil  war  on  a  gigantic  scale 
were  not  enough  to  combat,  the  "foes  of  our  own  household" 
proved  themselves  the  most  bitter  and  malignant.  The 
spirit  of  outlawry  and  misrule  in  the  city  extended  to  ad- 
jacent towns;  and  wherever  large  masses  of  foreigners 
were  employed,  the  influence  of  Democratic  politicians 
arrayed  them  against  the  government  of  the  country. 

Acts  of  violence  were  perpetrated  in  the  towns  on  the 
Hud.son  River  for  a  hundred  miles  in  extent. 

Dr.  Brainerd  received  a  letter  from  his  daughter,  resid- 
ing at  Saugerties,  Ulster  County,  New  York,  giving  him 
an  account  of  the  alarm  of  their  quiet  little  town  from  a 
threatened  attack  of  the  mob.  His  son-in-law  had  been 
active  in  promoting  voluntary  enlistments,  and  was  knov.-n 
as  an  earnest  friend  of  the  government. 

During  the  absence  of  his  father,  a  friendly  message  was 
brought  to  the  family,  stating  that  their  house  was  marked 
for  attack  that  night,  advising  them  to  dispense  with  lights 
and  retire  to  the  security  of  a  neighbor's  dwelling,  while 
some  active  friends  Avould  endeavor  to  divert  the  purpose 
of  the  mob. 

The  family  were  greatly  alarmed,  and  passed  several 


LETTER    TO    GOVERNOR   SEYMOUR.  3 13 

hours  of  the  nig-ht  in  a  strove  of  trees  near  the  house, 
where  they  could  distincth"  hear  the  inuruiur  and  rush  of 
the  excited  mass,  about  two  squares  distant. 

Instead  of  replying  to  his  daughter's  letter,  Dr.  Brainerd 
addressed  Governor  Seymour. 

"  Piiii.AnELPniA,  July  21st,  1863. 

"  Hon.  Horatio  Seymour, 

"  GOVERXOR   OF   THE    StATE    OF    XeW    YoRK. 

My  Dear  Sir: 

"  You  will  pardon  the  liberty  I  take  in  addressing  you. 
Though  I  once  had  the  honor  of  an  introduction  to  you 
by  my  friend,  Mr.  Thomas  H.  Wood,  of  Utica,  yet  I  can 
hardly  expect  you  to  remember  me.  As  a  native  of  Lewis 
County,  a  student  of  law  in  Rome,  in  the  da\'s  of  Storrs, 
Maynard,  Beardsle\",  Bronson,  etc  ;  as  a  frequent  visitor 
of  the  great  Adirondack  Forest,  where  I  have  often  heard 
of  your  sojournlngs,  and  as  one  familiar  with  your  public 
history,  I  seem  to  have  a  right  to  approach  you.  I  have 
a  motive  in  doing  it  at  the  present  time. 

"My  only  son,  a  graduate  of  Yale  College,  is  battling 
for  his  country's  integrity  and  honor,  on  Morris  Island, 
South  Carolina,  under  the  guns  of  Fort  Sumter.  He 
may  fall  there.  My  only  daughter  is  the  wife  of  Henr}^ 
M.  Boies,  of  Saugerties,  New  York,  a  classmate  of  my 
son's  and  a  noljle  young  man,  w4iose  only  fault  seems  to 
be  that  he  enthusiastically  stands  by  the  flag  and  the  laws 
of  the  government  of  these  United  States. 

"I  received  to-doy  a  letter  from  my  daughter,  in  which 
she  says  that  on  Tuesday  evening  last,  in  the  absence  of 
Mr.  Boies,  Senior,  an  alarm  was  given  that  two  hundred 
and  fifty  excited  Irishmen,  fresh  from  a  drinking-house, 
were  approaching,  to  burn  down  the  mansion  of  the 
family. 

"  My  daughter,  twenty-two  years  of  age,  with  her  in- 
27* 


314        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

fant  of  six  montlis  old,  accompanied  by  the  other  female 
members  of  the  famil}^,  went  bareheaded  into  the  open 
air,  and  there  waited  until  assured  that  a  relative,  who 
was  a  Democrat,  had  dissuaded  them  from  burning-  the 
beautiful  mansion  of  Mr.  Boies,  by  assuring-  them  there 
was  none  but  women  in  the  building. 

"I  read  this  communication  with  humiliation  and  hor- 
ror. My  own  and  only  daughter,  with  her  little  infant,  in 
the  dead  hour  of  night,  put  in  peril  of  her  life  because  her 
husband  zealously  sustained  the  laws  of  his  country ! 
This  is  a  case  which  comes  home  to  me ;  but  it  is  only 
one  of  mar.y,  I  am  informed,  occurring  in  various  parts  of 
the  State.  And  worse  than  this,  the  impression  is  forced 
upon  me  that  these  Irish  mobs  are  a  part  of  the  political 
machinery  which  unscrupulous  and  heartless  politicians 
are  using  to  force  the  government  of  the  United  States 
into  submission  to  rebel  terms,  and  to  overcome  and 
silence  such  as  patriotically  stand  by  their  flag  and  their 
principles.  Can  anything  be  conceived  more  base  and 
dastardly  than  first  to  inflame  the  prejudices  and  passions 
of  an  ignorant  and  excited  class,  by  stirring  up  their  jeal- 
ousy and  hate  of  the  poor  blacks,  and  then  turn  them 
loose  as  a  political  police,  to  dragoon,  by  incendiarism  and 
murder,  intelligent,  peaceful,  and  patriotic  citizens  into  an 
abandonment  of  their  princii)les  and  the  cause  of  their 
country  ?  A  more  diabolical  scheme  could  not  be  con- 
ceived; a  more  certain  method  to  reduce  the  country  to 
anarchy  and  barbarism  could  not  be  adopted. 

"  From  your  ancestral  origin,  your  fine  talents  and  high 
cultivation,  from  your  instincts  as  a  man  of  honor  and  a 
gentleman,  from  your  regard  to  the  welfare  of  your  State 
and  country,  from  your  felt  obligations  as  a  Christian  and 
a  citizen,  I  know  you  must  abhor  this  plot  and  this  mode 
of  political  action  as  really  as  I  do, — as  really  as  posterity 
will  execrate  it  and  its  abettors. 


LETTER    TO    GOVERNOR   SEY3I0UR.  315 

"  If  I  iinderstanrl  your  mossag-es,  you  indorse  the  neces- 
sity of  prosecuting  the  war  for  the  restoration  of  the  Union. 
To  do  this  we  must  have  men  ;  and,  as  the  nobly  patriotic 
liave  gone  out  and  fallen,  voluntary  enlistments  droop,  and 
the  g'overnraent  is  under  the  necessity  of  summoning  the 
more  selfish  and  indifl'erent  to  protect  the  institutions 
which  shelter  and  protect  tiiem.  There  may  be  infelicities 
in  the  mode  adopted;  but,  as  those  Avho  had  a  right  have 
prescribed  the  mode,  is  a  man  to  be  mobbed  out  of  his 
house  by  an  ignorant  rabble  because  he  stands  by  the  laws 
of  the  land?  Does  not.  the  matter  demand  a  clear,  un- 
equivocal expression  on  the  part  of  the  governors  of  the 
States,  that  they  will  favor  and  encourage  such  as  in  a 
day  of  peril  are  true  to  their  country? 

"  The  Irish  character  I  have  admired ;  and  I  have 
always  refused  to  sympathize  with  all  those  'Know- 
Nothing'  operations  which  would  rob  them  of  their  equal 
rights.  On  this  accourit  I  regret  that  they  should  be 
made  tools  by  demagogues,  and  i)ushed  out  into  ex- 
cesses which  will  stir  up  a  deadly  hate  to  their  nation  and 
their  religion.  The  worst  that  the  most  excited  fanatic 
of  Protestantism  ever  uttered  of  danger  from  foreign  im- 
migration will  be  more  than  realized,  if  traitorous  dema- 
gogues succeed  in  using  the  Irish  Catholics  to  palsy  the 
arm  of  the  government  in  its  struggle  with  a  wide-spread 
rebellion. 

"  But  I  trust  the  crisis  is  past.  You  have  succeeded  in 
quieting  the  city,  and  may  God  enable  you  to  be  the 
'terror  of  evil-doers'  throughout  my  glorious  native  State. 
I  send  you  a  pamphlet,  from  which  you  will  see  I  care 
nothing  for  party,  but  much  for  principles  and  for  my 
country. 

"  With  my  best  wishes  for  your  health  and  happiness, 
I  remain  Yours, 

"Thomas  Brainerd." 


316        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

In  a  few  days  the  following  laconic  reply  was  received 

"ExECCTivE  Department, 

"Albany,  July  29th,  1863. 

"  Rev.  Thos  Braixerd. 
"De.ar  Sir: 
"  Your  letter  of  the  21st  inst.  is  received.     Please  accept 
my  thanks  for  your  good  wishes,  and  also  for  the  pamphlet, 
which  I  will  examine  when  I  have  leisure. 
"  Truly  yours,  etc., 

'Horatio  Seymour." 

Quiet  and  comparative  security  being  restored,  Dr.  Brai- 
nerd  went  North  for  a  short  rest,  after  these  two  months 
of  intense  excitement.  He  visited  his  daughter  at  Sauger- 
ties  ;  and  while  in  this  region,  was  invited  to  join  an  ex- 
cursion with  some  friends  into  Green  County.  He  thought 
he  had  seen  enough  of  treason  nearer  home,  but  here  he 
found  a  more  open,  bold,  and  defiant  spirit  of  opposition  to 
the  government  than  had  yet  come  under  his  observation. 
At  the  hotel  where  the  party  stopped,  every  newspaper 
was  of  the  most  unequivocal  Copperhead  ciiaracter.  Dr. 
Brainerd  examined  a  number  of  The  New  York  Day 
Book,  a  journal  he  had  never  before  seen.  He  said  he 
could  not  have  believed,  without  the  testimony  of  his  own 
eyes,  that  a  newspaper  so  steeped  in  treason  and  falsehood 
could  be  published  in  this  country.  He  threw  the  paper 
down  with  an  expression  of  contempt  and  indignation,  and 
gave  the  by-standers  one  of  his  scorching  speeches  on  the 
criminality  of  falsifj'ing  and  obstructing  the  measures  of 
the  government  in  its  efforts  to  restore  liberty  and  union 
to  the  country.  A  bar-room  politician  present  took  up  the 
gauntlet,  and  a  debate  of  the  closest  and  most  exciting  na- 
ture ensued  between  them,  holding  all  present  amazed  and 
interested  auditors  for  two  hours.  Finding  Dr.  Brainerd 
fully  prepared  for  defense  at  every  point  of  attack,  the 


THE  REV.   DR.  MASS  IE.  317 

politician  finally  gave  up  the  battle,  saying,  "  You  are  an 
emissary  sent  up  here  by  the  government  to  carry  out 
some  scheme  of  your  party  !"  The  friends  who  accom- 
panied Dr.  Brainerd  were  much  amused  by  this  charge. 

In  the  evening,  the  clergyman  of  the  neighborhood 
called  upon  him  and  thanked  him  for  this  timely  service. 
Not  a  single  loyal  man,  he  said,  had  ventured  to  open  his 
mouth  in  this  place  before. 

James  W.  Massie,  D.D.,LL.D.,  of  London,  visited  the 
United  States  in  the  summer  of  1863.  He  w^as  one  of 
a  deputation  to  convey  the  sympathies  of  the  Protestant 
clergy  of  Great  Britain  and  France  to  their  brethren  in 
the  United  States,  in  their  great  national  struggle  for 
liberty  and  human  rights. 

The  "  Letter  "  and  "Address  "  of  w^iich  Dr.  Massie  was 
the  bearer  bore  the  attested  signatui'es  of  seven  hundred  and 
fifty-eight  French  pastors  and  four  thousand  British  clergy- 
men. Dr.  Massie  made  the  tour  of  the  United  States,  from 
Maine  to  the  Mississippi,  addressing  large  assemblages  of 
clergymen  of  all  d^ominations  in  the  principal  Northern 
cities.  During  his  stay  in  Philadelphia  he  was  the  guest  of 
Dr.  Brainerd,  and  addressed  a  large  meeting  in  his  church  at 
evening,  which  was  attended  by  the  city  clergymen  gen- 
erally, and  many  of  the  members  of  the  Union  League. 
The  following  notice  of  his  mission  was  published  by  Dr. 
Brainerd  : 

"  Tlie  Rev.  Dr.  Massie  is  a  Scotch  clergymen,  brought 
up  at  the  feet  of  Dr.  Chalmers,  whom  in  person  and  man- 
ner he  somewhat  resembles.  He  was  pastor  for  a  time  of. 
one  of  the  London  churches,  and  identified  with  all  the 
great  refurm  movements  of  the  liberal  and  progressive 
party  in  England  for  the  last  thirty  years.  A  minister  of 
peace  and  of  universal  freedom,  he  came  by  declarations, 
to  soften  American  prejudices  against  England,  and  to 
cheer  the  efforts  of  all  who  were  praying  for  the  emancipa- 


318       LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

tion  of  the  slave.  With  a  hiii'h  admiration  of  our  free  in- 
stitutions, and  an  abiding  faith  in  the  ability  of  our  govern- 
ment to  protect  its  integrity  and  vindicate  its  authority, 
lie  was  prepared  to  look  on  the  sunny  side  of  our  character 
and  prospects,  and  in  our  darkest  hours  to  give  us  words 
of  confidence  and  cheer.  He  has  put  on  record  his  high 
estimate  of  the  material  advantages  of  Philadelphia,  of  its 
abounding  comfort  and  taste,  and  of  the  sincere  cordiality 
with  which  he  was  here  welcomed." 

In  October  of  this  year,  Dr.  Brainerd's  son  brought 
up  from  Morris  Island  a  ship-load  of  sick  and  wounded 
men.  He  was  retained  in  Pl)iladelphia,  and  appointed 
Executive  Officer  of  the  "Mower  U.  S.  A.  General  Hos- 
pital," at  Chestnut  Hill.  This  was  the  largest  hospital 
in  the  country,  containing  three  thousand  five  hundred 
patients. 

In  January,  186  4,  he  Avas  put  in  charge  of  the  hospital 
at  Broad  and  Cherry  Streets  ;  and  afterward  had  charge 
of  "  McClellan"  and  "  Mower"  Hospitals  After  the  ter- 
mination of  the  war,  in  1865,  Pr.  IL  C.  Brainerd  was 
ordered  to  close  successively  five  of  these  large  govern- 
ment hospitals  ;  superintending  the  sales  of  the  prop- 
erty, and  turning  it  over  to  the  United  States  govern- 
ment. 

In  May,  1864,  Dr.  Brainerd  was  appointed  Commis- 
sioner to  the  General  Assembv,  which  met  at  Dayton, 
Ohio,  and  was  elected  Moderator.  He  was  now  serving 
the  Presbyterian  Church  for  the  sixth  time  as  a  delegate 
to  the  General  Assembly.  First,  in  1836,  when  the 
Assembh^  met  in  Pittsburg;  in  1849,  at  Philadelphia; 
1854,  Philadelphia;  1856,  New  York;  1860,  Pittsburg; 
1864,  Dayton. 

Alwaj's  averse  to  letter  writing,  his  communications  to 
his  familv  were  short  and  hurried. 


CURRENT  EVENTS.  319 

"Dayton,  Ohio,  May  22d,  1804, 

"  You  have  learned  by  the  pttpers,  I  suppose,  that  I  am 
in  the  Moderator's  chair.  May  God  enable  me  to  do  my 
duty  in  it.  George  Duffield  is  Clerk.  John  Brainerd 
and  George  Duffield,  D.D.,  were  Moderator  and  Clerk 
in  1764  !     Is  it  not  a  strange  coincidence  ? 

"  I  rode  out  yesterday  with  Major-General  McCook  and 
Rev.  Dr.  Thomas,  of  this  city.  "We  went  up  on  a  hill  to 
see  Indian  fortifications,  inclosing  a  hundred  acres." 

"  May  20th. 

*         *         *         *  "  We  are  getting  on  well  in  the 

Assembly,  and  I  think  will  close  next  week  or  the  last  of 
this.  I  find  it  easy  to  manage  the  work,  but  hard  to  sit 
out  the  sessions.     I  hope  to  be  home  the  first  week  in 

Tnnp"  ^  'T^  ^  'K  ^  ^  5fi  '^ 

It  is  unnecessary  to  dwell  upon  the  particulars  of  this 
session.  It  was  marked  by  hopefulness  in  the  brighten- 
ing aspects  of  the  war,  as  well  as  in  the  growing  strength 
and  influence  of  the  churches. 

A  little  incident  related  by  Dr.  Specs,  soon  after  the 
death  of  Dr.  Brainerd,  will  interest  those  who  were 
familiar  with  the  habits  and  physical  infirmities  of  the 
latter.  He  told  Dr.  Specs,  confidentially,  that  on  account 
of  his  nervousness  he  must  have  a  high-backed  cha'r,  to 
give  support  and  rest  to  his  head,  or  he  could  never  sit 
out  the  sessions  of  the  Assembly.  Together  they  ex- 
amined chairs  of  various  qualifications  until  they  found 
one  which  Dr.  Brainerd  pronounced  precisely  the  right 
thing.  It  chanced,  too,  to  be  one  of  the  most  beautiful 
and  costly  of  its  kind  in  the  City  of  Dayton.  The  manu- 
facturer, however,  generously  consented  to  loan  it  to  the 
church  for  the  present  object.     When  the  General  Assem- 


R20        /-/^^   OF  REV.  THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

bly  adjourned  and  the  chair  was  about  to  be  restored  to 
the  warerooms  of  the  owner,  the  congregation  refused  to 
part  with  it;  purchased  it*at  once  for  the  pulpit,  and  named 
it  "  The  Brainerd  Chair."  The  great  interest  felt  in  the 
deliberations  of  the  Assembly  was  the  reason  given  for 
retaining  this  "  chair"  as  a  memorial  of  that  occasion. 

Letter  from  Rev.  John  C.  Smith,  D.D. 

"  Washington  Citv,  June  29th,  1864, 

"Rev.  Thomas  Brainerd,  D.D  , 

"Moderator  of  General  Assembly: 
********* 

"  With  your  official  letter,  we  presented  the  resolutions 
of  the  Assembly  beautifully  transcribed  on  parchment, 
signed  by  Thomas  Brainerd,  Moderator,  and  Edwin  F. 
llatlield.  Stated  Clerk. 

"  The  President  gave  respectful  and  earnest  attention  to 
the  reading,  and  said  that  he  wonXd.  write  his  reply  if  he  could 
find  as  much  time.  He  was  evidently  much  gratified  with 
'  the  document ;' and,  though  oppressed  with  special  calls 
at  the  close  of  the  session  of  Congress,  he  was  cheerful 
and  said  kind  things,  especially  to  my  3'oung  relative,  who 
was  charged  with  'the  resolutions,'  while  I  read  (with 
difficulty)  the  letter  in  the  handwriting  of  my  noble  friend 
and  honored  brother  of  '  Old  Pine  Street.'  May  God  bless 
him  and  his  loyal  church  a  thousand  fold  more  and  mori;, 
with  all  in  our  consecrated  brotherhood. 

"  Always, 

"  John  C.  Smith." 

On  the  1st  of  July,  1864,  at  the  close  of  the  P'riday 
evening  prayer-meeting.  Dr.  Brainerd  was  both  surprised 
and  gratified  by  a  donation  o^  fuurteen  hundred  dollars, 
as  a  "  supplement"  to  his  moderate  salary.  This  sum 
was  contributed  by  the  congregation   and  presented  by 


VISIT  TO   FORT  DELAWARE.  321 

Robert  J.  Mercer,  Esq.  At  the  same  time  a  very  hand- 
some plated  tea-service,  from  the  ladies  of  the  church,  was 
presented  to  Mrs.  Bralnerd,  by  George  Young,  Esq. 

While  no  man  ever  talked  less  about  money  for  himself, 
or  appeared  to  think  less  of  it.  Dr.  Bro.inerd  gratefully 
appreciated  every  token  of  thoughtful  consideration  in  his 
people.  Seasons  of  pecuniary  embarrassment,  requiring 
self-denial,  patience,  and  skill  to  overcome,  were  of  fre- 
quent occurrence.  Fifteen  hundred  dollars  were  still  due 
on  the  house  which  he  had  been  sixteen  years  in  purchas- 
ing. One  year  he  had  managed  to  pay  from  his  salary 
five  hundred  dollars  on  the  mortgage  ;  at  others,  one,  two, 
or  three  hundred  only.  He  now  added  another  hundred  to 
this  donation,  and,  with  a  light  heart,  paid  off  the  mort- 
gage. The  appropriation  of  this  money  to  his  house  left  the 
burden  of  living  on  "  war  prices''  about  the  same  as  before. 

Dr.  Brainerd  was  not  insensible  to  the  value  of  money ; 
he  was  always  collecting  great  sums  for  great  objects  ; 
and  knew  well  both  the  difficulty  of  obtaining  it  and  the 
worth  of  the  benefits  it  could  secure. 

Blessings,  like  trials,  often  come  in  clusters.  Soon  after 
Dr.  Brainerd's  return  home  in  the  fall,  he  learned  that  one 
of  his  young  men  had  originated  a  project  for  securing  a 
paid-up  "  Life  Insurance"  for  three  thousand  dollars, 
for  his  pastor's  family.  This  was  a  private  enterprise, 
carried  out  by  the  affectionate  liberality  of  a  few  young 
men  of  the  church. 

In  the  fall  of  18G3,  Dr.  Brainerd  went  down  to  Fort 
Delaware  and  preached  to  the  rebel  prisoners  there,  eight 
thousand  in  number.  The  men  came  around  him  like  bees  ; 
many  of  them  eager  to  tell  him  how  much  they  disapproved 
of  this  war,  or  describe  the  mode  by  which  they  were 
forced  into  it.  One  man  said  he  was  on  his  way  to  a  mill, 
when  he  was  compelled  to  leave  his  bag  of  corn  and  march 
with  the  company,  without  being  allowed  to  return  home 

2S 


322    LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

to  take  leave  of  his  family.  Among  the  i)risoners  he  recog- 
nized  a  rresbyterian  clergyman  of  Maryland,  whom  he  had 
known  before,  and  who  had  preached  for  him  in  former 
years.  AVith  an  air  of  assumed  conlidence,  he  said,  "You 
find  me  here,  Brother  Brainerd,  like  John  Bunyan,  a  suf- 
ferer for  my  principles."  "  I  think  you  are  a  great  deal 
more  like  Benedict  Arnold,^''  )'eplied  Mr.  Brainerd. 

A  great  proportion  of  the  men  could  not  read,  and  a 
school  was  established  for  them  by  ihe  Union  officers  in 
charge.  Mr.  Brainerd  offered  to  aid  these  educational 
efforts,  and  soon  after  his  return  he  received  a  letter  from 
tiie  cliaplain,  Rev.  Wm.  H.  Paddock,  requesting  him  to 
send  them  one  hundred  spelling-books,  one  hundred  Bible- 
readers,  and  fifty  simple  arithmetics.  He  adds,  "  When 
may  we  see  your  face  here  again,  and  hear  your  voice 
among  the  'sick  and  in  prison'  ?" 

One  of  the  prisoners  from  Texas  told  Mr.  Brainerd  that 
be  preferred  prison-life  to  fighting  against  the  flag  that  he 
was  taught  to  love  in  his  3'outh. 

After  returning  home,  the  fall  and  winter  were  occupied 
with  abundant  labors  in  the  churches,  the  city,  and  the  hos- 
pitals. There  were  now  in  Philadelphia  and  the  suburbs 
some  twenty  government  hospitals,  accommodating  over 
thirty  thousand  sick  and  wounded  soldiers. 

In  the  latter  part  of  July  Dr.  Brainerd  left  the  city  for 
his  customary  summer  vacation,  a  portion  of  which  was 
spent  at  Saugerties,  and  the  remainder  in  a  visit  to  his 
native  place  in  Northern  New  York.  In  October  he  at- 
tended the  annual  meeting  of  the  American  Board,  at 
Worcester,  Mass.,  of  which  he  was  a  corporate  member. 
•  After  his  return  and  before  commencing  in  earnest  his 
fall  and  winter  work.  Dr.  IJrainerd  called  a  meeting  of  tiie 
session  of  his  church,  and  stated  to  them  his  increasing 
inability  to  sustain  all  the  responsibilities  which  had  accu- 
mulated through  twenty-eight  years.     He  told  them  they 


A   NEW  TEAR'S   GIFT.  323 

inij^ht  do  one  of  three  thing^s, — omit  for  a  year  the  Sunday 
afternoon  preaching-  service,  or  engag-e  an  assistant,  or  let 
him  resign  the  charge  of  the  church  altogether.  It  is  al- 
most needless  to  add  that  they  accepted  the  first  proposi- 
tion, \yith  the  assurance  that  he  should  have  an  assistant 
besides,  if  he  really  required  one. 

For  ten  years  the  young  men  of  the  congregation  had 
sustained  a  yery  yigorous  and  profitable  prayer-meeting 
on  Sabbath  evenings.  The  large  lecture-room  was  uni- 
formly crowded  in  good  weather,  and  Dr.  Brainerd  was 
unwilling  to  disturb  this  fine  school  for  religious  improve- 
ment. He  was  always  present  at  this  meeting  and  made 
an  address,  as  well  as  at  the  Wednesday  and  Friday  even- 
ing meetings.  He  was  now  sixty  years  of  age,  and  worn 
by  the  excitements  of  the  war.  He  seemed  to  have  a 
presentiment  that  his  work  was  drawing  to  its  close.  He 
frequently  said,  as  President  Lincoln  did,  "  This  war  lo ill 
kill  77?e/"  It  was  amazing  that  he  endured  the  continuous 
strain  of  nervous  excitement  through  this  period  of  four 
years.  In  what  were  termed  "the  dark  days  of  the  re- 
bellion," including  the  seven  days  before  Richmond,  Dr. 
Brainerd  frequenth^  rose  at  the  dawn  of  day  from  a  sleep- 
less pillow,  and  went  out  to  get  a  newspaper,  unable  to 
wait  the  call  of  the  early  newsboys.  Supporting  his  head 
Avith  one  hand  while  reading  the  paper,  the  other  hand 
frequently  shook  to  such  a  degree  that  observers  marveled 
that  he  could  keep  his  eye  on  the  printed  line. 

A  Nevy  Year's  gift  was  presented  to  Dr.  Brainerd  in 
January,  1865,  which  afforded  him  more  unalloyed  pleas- 
ure than  any  token  of  affectionate  remembrance  be  ever 
received.  It  was  a  copy  of  his  "  Quarter  Century 
Sermon,"  most  beautifully  illustrated  by  his  friend  and  ex- 
parishioner,  Frederick  J.  Dreer,  Esq.  Mr.  Dreer  had  been 
three  years  collecting  photographs  and  engravings  of  per- 
sons, places,  and  churches  alluded  to  in  the  sermon, — over 


324   LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

one  hundred  in  number.  These  were  arranged  and  inserted 
in  the  book  with  exquisite  taste  and  skill,  making  a  large 
octavo  volume,  two  inches  in  thickness. 

Besides  containing  eighty-five  portraits  of  clergymen 
and  friends,  living  and  dead,  with  a  large  number  of  the 
Philadelphia  churches,  and  other  places  of  interest,  it  con- 
stituted a  pictorial  histor}"  of  the  quarter  century  gone  by, 
full  of  the  most  touching  personal  recollections.  It  was 
an  album  of  his  pastorate,  and  a  most  grateful  token  of 
the  afiiection  w'hich  originated  such  a  tribute  of  friendship 
to  his  former  pastor. 

Amid  the  accumulated  labors  of  the  next  spring,  1865, 
Dr.  Brainerd  prepared  for  the  press  "  The  Life  op  John 
Brainerd, — the  brother  of  David  Brainerd,  and  his  suc- 
cessor as  missionary  to  the  Indians  of  New  Jersey."  As 
he  himself  states  in  the  preface,  this  was  "  his  first  attempt 
in  making  a  book.^'  "Possessing  the  diary  of  his  name- 
sake and  remote  kinsman,  and  impressed  by  the  holiness 
and  consecration  of  his  life,  the  author  first  projected  this 
publication  from  family  as  well  as  public  motives,  with  no 
expectation  of  gain  or  reputation." 

Dr.  Brainerd  had  this  publication  in  view  for  a  year  or 
two  preceding  the  war;  and  as  he  had  opportunity,  was 
reading  the  history  of  the  early  missions  to  the  Indians, 
and  collecting  such  facts  as  the  literature  of  that  day  sup- 
plied. He  had  written  about  two  hundred  pages,  when 
the  absorbing  claims  of  the  country  in  1861  so  occupied 
his  mind  that  the  work  was  wholly  laid  aside  until  the 
spring  of  1805.  He  was  induced  to  resume  it  at  the  soli- 
citation of  a  New  England  clergyman,  whose  advice  had 
weight  with  him,  and  by  the  consideration  of  his  preca- 
rious health,  which  might  prevent  its  completion  in  the 
future.  When  recommenced,  it  was  carried  on  Avith  his 
usual  energy,  and  finished  in  three  mouths,  making  a  vol- 
ume of  500  pages  octavo. 


LETTER   FROM  DR.  MACKENZIE.  325 

Dr.  Brainerd  was  much  cheered  l)y  the  success  of  his 
book;  and  the  favorable  notices  of  it  in  tlie  religious  and 
secular  papers,  as  well  as  in  the  various  quarterly  reviews, 
afforded  him  substantial  satisfaction.  Extended  notices 
were  published  in  several  English  papers,  the  London 
liecord,  the  Wesleyan  Times,  the  ChrisLiaa  Witness,  and 
others. 

By  the  kindness  of  Dr.  Mackenzie,  we  are  enabled  to 
give  the  accompanying  cBaracteristic  letter,  and  his  state- 
ment of  the  occasion  which  called  it  forth : 

''Philadelphia,  March  1st,  1S70. 

"Near  the  close  of  1865,  I  received  Dr.  Brainerd's 
'Life  of  John  Brainerd,'  which  had  been  sent  some  weeks 
earlier,  but  was  mislaid  en  route.  I  had  met  Dr.  B.  once, 
if  not  twice,  at  the  St.  Andrew's  Society,  and  was  struck 
with  the  thorough  simplicity  of  his  manners,  with  an 
under-current  of  quiet  humor.  In  the  street  we  always 
paused  to  exchange  words  en  passant.  I  heard  him 
preach,  and  was  charmed  with  his  earnestness  and  unaf- 
fected piety. 

"  When  the  book  reached  me,  the  Press,  of  which  I  have 
been  literary  editor  since  its  establishment,  in  August, 
1857,  was  contending,  single-handed  (for  all  the  other 
daily  papers  kept  aloof  from  the  contest),  for  the  privilege 
or  right  of  having  the  city  passenger  cars  running  on 
Sunday.  It  finally  carried  the  day,  and  could  say,  'Alone 
I  did  it'  Many  of  the  city  clergy  took  part  against  the 
Press  on  this  question,  Dr.  Brainerd  among  them.  The 
strife  was  raging  Avhen  I  got  Dr.  B.'s  book. 

"Having  a  high  opinion  of  John  and  David  Brainerd, 
I  read  the  book  with  interest,  and  was  so  much  pleased 
with  it  that,  in  consideration  of  the  subject,  the  execution, 
and  the  author  (so  long  minister  of  Old  Pine  Street 
Church,  in  Philadelphia),  I  gave  it  an  extended  review. 

28* 


326        LIFE  OF  REV.  THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

Had  Dr.  Brainevd  been  twenty  times  as  vehement  against 
tlie  PrenH  on  the  car  question  as  he  was,  that  could  have 
made  no  difference  in  my  opinion  of  his  book.  I  thought 
it  entitled  to  a  critical  examination  and  a  very  favorable 
verdict,  and  it  got  both.  Mr.  Forney,  proprietor  of  the 
Press,  was  in  Washington  when  the  article  appeared,  and 
did  not  read  it  or  hear  of  it  until  the  Press  of  February 
1st,  186G,  reached  him  there.  There  was  no  necessity  for 
consulting  him  on  such  a  matter.  When  he  returned  to 
Philadelphia  he  expressed  liis  satisfaction  at  the  course  I 
had  taken.  It  was  this  review  which  caused  Dr.  Brainerd 
to  write  to  me  on  Februar}'  9lh.  It  gave  mc  great  pleas- 
ure to  find  that  my  critique  had  gratified  such  a  gifted, 
good,  and  religious  man.  I  met  him  once  after  the  re- 
ceipt of  his  letter,  and  he  said,  very  frankly,  with  the 
genial  smile  which  often  lighted  up  his  face,  'When  I 
read  the  kind  criticism  of  yours  on  my  book,  at  a  time 
when  I  had  felt  it  ni}-^  duty  to  oppose  the  Press,  I  felt  as 
if  you  had  put  coals  of  fire  on  my  head.'  All  I  could 
say  was  the  plain  truth,  that  both  of  us  had  done  what 
we  conceived  to  be  our  duty.  He  pressed  my  hand 
warmly,  and  evidently  was  much  affected.  I  never  again 
saw  him. 

"  11.  Shelton  Mackenzie." 

"Philadelphia,  February  9th,  1866. 

"  Dear  Dr.  Mackenzie  : 

"  I  ought  before  this  to  have  expressed  my  gratitude  for 
the  extended,  discriminating,  and  kind  'notice'  of  my 
'  John  Brainerd,'  in  the  Press  of  last  week.  Your  criti- 
cisms, so  far  as  you  have  uttered  them,  arc  natural  and 
just,  and  I  am  specially  grateful  (with  what  I  know  of 
your  al>ility  and  taste,  and  of  the  crudeness  of  my  '  book') 
that  you  treated  its  faults  so  indulgently.  . 

'As   David   Brainerd   was  entirely  supported   by  the 


THE  rULPIT  AND    THE  PRESS.  327 

'  Scotch  Society,'  John  was  in  reality  tlie  first  missionary 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  this  country. 

"  Perhaps  you  may^  have  seen  that  the  WeaJeyan  Times, 
of  London,  has  given  five  columns,  and  the  Becord  a 
column  and  a  half  to  my 'book.  All  that  comes  from  the 
prestige  of  David's  great  name,  of  which  John  gains  the 
benefit.  I  would  like  to  send  a  copy  to  the  editor  of  the 
principal  religious  paper  of  Edinburgh.  Is  the  Weekly 
lievieio  the  leading  journal  of  Presbyterians  of  all  classes? 

"  I  am  sorry  Mr.  Forney  and  the  clergy  have  got  into  a 
muss.  I  said  nothing  until  he  struck  at  the  clergy  as  a 
body,  and  at  our  American  views  of  the  fourth  command- 
ment. 

"The  pulpit  and  the  press,  as  educators  of  the  world, 
ought  to  be  on  one  side,  and  that  the  right  side,  which  it 
is  not  always  easy  to  find.  By  admitting  your  very  kind 
article  into  the  Press,  Mr.  Forney  has  rather  'got  me  on 
the  hip.'  He  seems  to  be  coming  up  on  the  weak  side  of 
the  'proscriptives.' 

"  Perhaps  he  has  been  imitating  the  generous  chivalries 
of  knights  of  yore,  who  interspersed  war  with  personal 
courtesies,  as  when  Bruce  said  to  D'Argentine, — 

"'Thus,  then,  my  noble  foe,  I  greet  ; 
Health  and  high  fortune  till  we  meet, 
And  then — what  pleases  Heaven.' 

"I  hope  it  will  '  please  Heaven,'  when  '  we  meet,'  that  it 
may  be  at  my  table  for  a  social  cup  of  tea,  etc  ,  so  far  as 
you  are  concerned. 

"With  great  respect,  I  remain, 

"  Most  truly  yours, 

"  Thomas  Bratnerd." 

It  will  be  remembered  that  the  war  closed  in  the  same 
month  in  which  it  opened  by  the  bombardment  of  Fort 


328        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRATNERD,  D.D. 

Sumter.  The  nation  was  aprain  electrified  l^y  tlie  report 
of  the  fall  of  Richmond  on  the  3d  of  April.  Again  the 
people  crowded  the  Union  League  rooms  ;  again  the  great 
procession  hurried  to  Independence  Square  and  the  old 
State  House,  where  thrilling  speeches,  prayers,  and  sa- 
cred music  could  alone  express  their  grateful  joy.  After 
an  enthusiastic  speech  from  Charles  Gibbons,  Esq.,  Dr. 
Urainerd  addressed  the  as-sembled  multitude  as  follows  : 

"  jNIen  of  Philadelphia  and  fellow-citizens: — In  the  long 
past  there  have  been  many  stirring  events  in  our  country's 
history,  but  perhaps  none  rising  in  importance  to  that 
Avhich  brings  us  here  to-day.  The  great  events  of  our 
Revolution  directly  impressed  but  three  millions.  The 
victory  which  we  celebrate  has  thrilled  thirty  )nilIions, 
and  promises  to  affect  the  destiny  of  this  entire  continent, 
with  the  hundred  millions  which  shall  people  it  in  a  thou- 
sand years  to  come.  We  have  come  to  this  sacred  edifice 
often  before.  A  little  more  than  one  3'ear  ago,  when  a 
ruthless  army  of  traitors  was  treading  down  the  harvests 
of  Pennsylvania,  and  threatening  its  metropolis,  we  came 
here,  and  not  in  vain,  to  invoke  the  protection  of  Almighty 
God.  In  the  hour  of  our  country's  agony,  when  there 
trembled  in  the  scales  all  that  had  been  gained  by  the 
labors,  prayers,  and  blood  of  our  fathers ;  when  there 
vibrated  in  the  balance  the  freedom  and  elevation  of  aii 
humble  race;  when  the  interests  of  mankind  in  all  time 
and  all  lands,  and  the  very  existence  of  civilization  itself, 
were  in  peril,  we  besought  God  in  his  mercy  to  protect  us. 
We  believed  that  we  had  a  right  to  expect,  on  our  cause 
and  our  petitions,  the  sanction  of  God.  I  call  on  you,  my 
fellow-citizens,  from  your  own  consciousness,  to  bear  tes- 
timony that  in  our  hearts  we  have  cherished  no  malice 
toward  our  brethren  in  tlje  South.  We  regarded  with 
surpri.se,    with    sorrow,    with    shame,    the    causes    which 


SPEECH  ON  THE  FALL    OF  RICHMOND.        329 

pressed  us  vcUictanily  into  the  present  coiitlict.  We  did 
believe  that  by  how  nmcb  a  feeble  race  was  degraded  and 
oppressed,  by  so  much  was  Christianity  bound  to  plead 
for  their  welfare.  We  accepted  the  bitter  cup  of  war, 
forced  upon  us,  not  because  we  loved  our  Southern  breth- 
ren less,  but  because  we  loved  our  country  and  humanity 
more. 

"  The  clergy  are  here  in  large  numbers.  They  have  a 
right  to  be  here.  For  myself,  I  can  lift  my  hand  to  heaven, 
and,  in  the  name  of  Christ,  with  a  clear  conscience,  ask 
God  for  success  in  our  conflict.  It  is  alike  the  cause  of 
government,  of  order,  and  of  human  happiness.  No 
clergyman  has  a  right  to  hold  an  equivocal  position  in  the 
hour  of  his  country's  agony.  If  the  cause  be  worth  the 
martyrdom  of  our  noble  young  men,  it  is  a  clergyman's 
duty  to  sanction  the  right  and  give  consolation  under  the 
necessary  sufferings  of  the  contest.  As  God  heard  our 
prayers  offered  in  our  defeats  and  perils,  it  is  most  fit  and 
proper  that  when  by  his  favor  our  noble  army  has  tri- 
umphed over  the  chief  seat  of  treason — over  the  very  nest 
of  rebellion — we  come  here  to  relieve  our  swelling  hearts 
by  devout  thanksgiving  to  the  Author  of  all  good.  Prince 
Eugene,  in  heralding  a  victory,  said,  *  It  is  easy  to  be  de- 
vout when  we  are  happy !'  I  trust,  then,  you  will  all 
bare  your  heads  and  incline  your  hearts  while  we  are  led 
by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Brooks,  of  this  city,  in  expressing  our 
gratitude  for  the  great  victory  which  has  crowned  our 
national  arms." 

Rev.  Phillips  Brooks  then  offered  a  most  impressive 
prayer,  and,  with  a  closing  benediction,  the  vast  assemblage 
dispersed. 

A  week  later  came  the  message  of  Lee's  surrender  and 
the  death  of  the  rebellion. 

This  information,  it  will  be  remembered,  was  received 


330        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BR  A I  NERD,  D.D. 

by  telegram  on  Sunday  evening',  April  0th.  From  nine 
o'clock  until  twelve  the  door-bell  of  Dr.  Brainerd's  house 
was  rung  at  frequent  intervals  by  enthusiastic  friends,  to 
communicate  this  intelligence — almost  too  great  for  belief. 
Tlie  pealing  bells  of  the  city  soon  confirmed  these  ''glad 
tidings  of  great  joy.'''' 

Dr.  Brainerd  hurried  from  the  house  ;  stopped  for  a  friend 
^\  hom  he  found  in  his  slippers,  and  said,  "  Put  on  your 
boots  and  come  with  me  !" 

Alluding  to  this  occasion  some  time  afterward,  this  gen- 
tleman said  :  "We  went  into  Chestnut  Street  together  on 
Sabbath-night,  as  the  news  of  Lee's  surrender  threw  our 
((uiet  city  into  deliriun).  Parting  with  Dr.  Brainerd  at  a 
late  hour  in  front  of  his  own  door,  his  whole  being  seemed 
to  glow  with  gratitude.  '  Good-night,' said  he,  '3'ou  will 
not  forget  this  walk  ;  we  have  never  seen  the  like  of  this 
before,  and  will  never  see  such  a  night  again.' 

"  The  transition  from  national  joy  to  national  grief  came 
quickly.  On  the  night  of  Good  Friday,  April  14th,  1865, 
Abraham  Lincoln  was  slain.  A  night  of  darkness,  of 
longer  duration  than  that  which  fell  on  Egypt  in  the  days 
of  Moses,  shrouded  the  land,  and  there  was  no  'light  in 
our  dice.llingH.''  Without  manuscript,  and  almost  without 
a  selected  text,  Dr.  Brainerd  on  the  Sabbath  morning  fol- 
lowing the  sad  event,  entered  Old  Pine  Street  Church, 
crowded,  unexpectedly  to  him,  to  its  full  capacity,  and  for  an 
hour  and  a  half  preached  with  an  unction  and  power  such 
as  are  never  wielded  except  by  the  great  in  intellect  and 
eloquent  in  speech.  Indeed,  he  spoke  as  though  some  mi- 
I'aculous  agent  had  sustained  him.  We  never  knew  a  man 
more  bountifully  endowed  to  equal  every  emergency  which, 
in  the  course  of  Providence,  he  was  called  to  fill." 

On  that  fearful  night  of  the  fourteenth  of  April,  at  the 
very  hour  when  the  real  tragedy  was  enacting  in  Ford's 
Theater,  the  quiet  circle  for  prayer  in  Pine  Street  Church 


DEATH  OF  PRESIDENT  UNCO  LIST.  33I 

were  considering  the  costly  sacrifice  for  the  redemption  of 
the  race.  The  evening  of  "  Good  Friday  "  had  given  this 
turn  to  tlie  current  of  remarks.  Dr.  Brainord  closed  the 
meeting  with  an  address  suggestive  of  the  gratitude  that 
would  be  the  due  of  any  victim  (if  such  an  one  could  be 
found)  who  had  averted  the  wholesale  bloodshed  of  the 
late  war  bv  the  voluntary  sacrifice  of  himself;  applying 
this  illustration  to  the  sacrifice  of  the  Son  of  God  for  a  lost 
world;  and  closed  with  the  quotation,  "  It  is  expedient  for 
us  that  one  man  should  die  for  the  people,  and  that  the 
whole  nation  perish  not." 

These  remarks  were  recalled  by  those  who  listened  to 
them,  as  almost  prophetic,  when  the  knell  was  sounded 
throughout  the  country  the  next  morning  over  its  mur- 
dered President.  The  hush  that  fell  upon  the  nation  after 
its  paeans  of  victory  ;  the  sorrow  that  so  soon 

"  Trod  on  the  heels  of  joy," 

when  strong  men  grasped  each  other's  hands  in  silent  an- 
guish, while  tears  like  rain  fell  from  their  eyes,  will  never 
be  forgotten. 

Before  it  was  fully  light  the  next  morning  Br.  Brainerd 
heard  anxious  voices  in  the  street,  and  caught  the  words — 
"  The  President  tilled!^'  He  sprang  from  his  bed,  opened 
the  window,  and  asked  what  had  happened.  A  group  of 
colored  men  near  told  him  the  terrible  fact,  and  no  class  of 
men  felt  it  more  deeply  than  they. 

Amid  the  vast  demonstrations  of  woe  which  clothed  the 
country  in  sackcloth.  Dr.  Brainerd  said  none  were  to  him 
so  touching  as  when  the  poor  colored  people  fastened  up 
their  small  strips  of  black  crape  or  muslin  on  their  dwell- 
ings in  the  courts  and  alleys,  as  a  sorrowful  tribute  to  the 
worth  of  their  best  friend. 

Occasionally  a  pleasant  occurrence  connected  with  the 
past  or  present  glimmered  out  to  relieve  the  lowering  sky 
of  these  dark  davs. 


332   LIFE  OF  REV.  THOMAS  BRAIXERD,  D.D. 

Such  were  letters,  like  the  followinu-  from  lion.  Nathaniel 
Wright,  of  Cincinnati,  proving  the  adherence  of  Dr.  Brai- 
nerd's  early  friends : 

"CiNci.s-NATi,  Feb.  8tb,  1805. 

"  My  dear  old  Friend  : 

"  You  must  allow  me  to  be  thus  familiar  with  you,  to 
tell  you  how  much  I  was  gratified  with  your  letter  of  Jan- 
uary 7th.  It  must  be  that  I  am  getting  old,  for  I  find  myself 
almost  alone,  so  far  as  intimates  out  of  my  own  family  are 
concerned ;  and  I  see  that  you  are  getting  old  enough  to 
realize  how  much  this  endears  to  you  the  few  that  re- 
main." 

Speaking  of  the  death  of  Mr.  John  Groesl)eck,  Judge 
Wright  says :  "  Our  views  were  very  much  alike  in  reli- 
gious and  church  matters;  and,  among  other  things,  we 
agreed  in  our  estimation  of  yourself,  regarding  you  as 
the  most  discreet  and  reliable  man  for  counsel  among  our 
acquaintances  of  the  clergy.  You  may  recollect  that  one 
or  the  other,  perhaps  both  of  us,  have  often  applied  to  you 
for  advice — and,  by-the-way,  your  advice  has  always 
turned  out  right.  We  used  often  to  talk  of  you,  and 
always  when  important  church  movements  were  to  be 
made. 

"  1  rejoice  that  your  situation  is  so  pleasant  and  your 
life  so  useful.     You  say  you  are  not  satisfied  with  your- 
self; very  natural — but  how  should  it  be  then  with  multi- 
tudes of  others  ?******* 
"Your  loving  friend, 

"N.  Wright." 

While  the  United  States  School-ship  "  Sabine"  was 
anchored  in  the  Delaware,  in  the  spring  of  18(55,  Dr.  Brai- 
nerd  received  a  note  from  Commodore  R.  B.  Lowry,  com- 
manding the  ship,  in  which  he  says,  "It  will  give  me 


'^  WISDOM  IN    WINKING   SOULS."  333 

great  pleasure  if,  on  any  Sunday  afternoon,  it  will  suit 
your  convenience  to  visit  this  vessel  and  address  the  boys 
under  my  charg-e."  Dr.  Brainerd  was  able  to  make  but 
one  visit  and  address  in  response  to  this  invitation ;  but 
at  the  June  communion  he  had  the  satisfaction  of  receiv- 
ing to  the  membership  of  his  church  the  first  lieutenant  of 
the  ship,  a  fine  young  man  with  an  "empty  sleeve^' — 
having  lost  his  arm  at  the  taking  of  New  Orleans. 

In  May,  Dr.  Brainerd  Avent  to  Brooklyn,  to  attend  the 
General  Assembly,  which  convened  on  the  18th.  His 
opening  sermon  was  pieached  from  the  text,  "He  that 
winneth  souls  is  icise,'"'  Prov.  xi.  30.  And  the  subject — 
"  Wisdom  in  winning  souls'' — implied  not  only  that  it  Avas 
Avise  to  win  souls,  but  that  great  ^cisdom,  in  its  common 
acceptation,  Avas  requisite  for  the  successful  prosecution  of 
this  work. 

*  The  sermon  was  thus  noticed  in  the  Neiv  lor^  Evan- 
gelist : 

'•Brooklyn,  May  19th,  1865. 

"  The  opening  of  the  General  Assembly  in  Lafayette 
Avenue  Church,  yesterday,  AA'as  participated  in  by  a  very 
large  number  of  Commissioners,  Init  by  a  very  slim  audi- 
ence from  the  people.  The  people  had  no  idea  of  what 
they  missed  in  failing  to  hear  the  sermon  of  Dr.  Brainerd. 
Although  physically  AA^eak,  so  that  he  feared  he  should  not 
be  able  to  endure  the  fatigue  of  delivery,  the  doctor  held 
his  audience  for  over  an  hour  in  delighted,  aroused  atten- 
tion, stirring  the  highest  moods  of  feeling,  and  not  unfre- 
quently  causing  a  buzz  of  assent  and  satisfaction  as  he 
pronounced  his  strong,  terse  conclusions,  or  provoking 
their  smiles  by  his  shrewd  and  telling  illustrations  and 
thrusts  at  error  in  church  and  state.  We  shall  not  at- 
tempt to  analyze  the  sermon,  as  aa'c  give  it  in  full  in  an- 
other place ;  but  Ave  must  say  its  tone  and  temper  were 

29 


334        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

most  wholesome,  and  the  younger  ministry  in  the  Assem- 
bly could  not  but  carry  from  it  germs  of  thought,  rules 
of  action,  and  principles  of  judgment  of  the  highest  im- 
portance to  them  in  their  future  career.  It  was  more 
relished,  and  difiTused  more  real  pleasure  among  the  audi- 
ence, than  any  Moderator's  sermon  we  have  been  privi- 
leged to  hear." 

At  the  conclusion  of  his  sermon,  Dr.  Brainerd  said  that 
as  the  state  of  his  health  did  not  permit  him  to  perform 
the  duties  of  a  Commissioner,  he  had  given  way  to  his 
alternate.  Rev.  John  B.  Ileeve,  one  of  the  first  two  colored 
men  ever  elected  to  the  General  Assembly. 

The  following  letter  to  the  editor  of  the  American 
Presbyterian,  shows  the  estimate  in  which  Mr.  Reeve 
was  held  Ijy  the  Fourth  Presljyter}",  of  which  he  was  a 
member: 

"Dear  Brother  Mears: 

"As  my  health  and  inclination  will  not  allow  me  to  take 
my  place  as  a  delegate  to  the  General  Assembly,  I  may 
be  alloAved  to  say  a  word  for  my  alternate,  the  Rev.  John 
B.  Reeve. 

"  Pie  is,  I  believe,  the  first  colored  man  ever  elected  to 
any  General  Assembly.  As  our  grand  national  conflict 
has  settled  the  question  that  color  is  no  longer  to  be  an 
apology  for  oppression,  and  as  colored  men  have  shed  their 
blood  freely  for  our  flag  and  our  country,  there  seems  to 
be  a  propriety  in  giving  some  merited  token  of  re.-^pect 
and  regard  to  their  representatives  in  the  church.  And 
it  is  eminently  proper  that  our  branch  of  the  church,  which 
first  enunciated  the  principles  of  human  freedom,  should 
be  the  first  to  rise  above  the  prejudices  of  caate. 

"  That  my  alternate  will  personally  do  no  discredit  to 
the  Assemblv  mav  be  inferred  from  the  following  letter, 


REV.  JOHN  B.  REEVE.  335 

which  I  received  from  my  disting-uished  friend,  Rev.  T. 
11.  Skinner,  D.D.  Among-  us  Mr.  Reeve  has  sustained 
the  character  which  he  brought. 

"  TnoMAS  Brainerd." 

"New  York,  Jany.  24th,  1S61. 

"Rev.  and  dear  Brother: 

"John  B.  Reeve,  of  our  senior  class,  informs  me  that 
he  has  a  call  from  a  church  of  Africans,  in  Philadelphia, 
to  become  their  pastor.  He  is  himself  a  colored  man,  and 
I  presume  he  has  no  prospect  of  exercising  his  ministry, 
except  among  his  fellow-Africans.  But  it  is  only  his 
color  that  limits  his  sphere.  He  has  not  a  superior  in 
the  class  as  to  the  preaching  gift,  and  I  doubt  if  there  is 
one  above  him,  in  academical  and  theological  culture.  He 
stands  among  the  first  in  all  the  departments  in  our  semi- 
nary. He  will,  I  am  sure,  appear  at  our  anniversary  among 
the  live  or  six  who  will  receive  special  distinction,  as 
speaker,  on  the  occasion. 

"And  he  is,  in  other  respects,  a  first-rate  man.  There 
is  not  one  of  our  students  of  a  sounder  mind  on  the  sub- 
ject of  slavery  and  its  political  l)earings,  and  on  all  the 
points  which  are  so  much  agitated  in  church  and  state  in 
these  times.  His  piety  commands  every  one's  confidence; 
and  his  gentlemanly  and  dignified  course  in  his  relations 
with  his  white  brethren  in  the  seminary,  is  a  sufficient 
presage  of  what  he  will  be  in  general  society.  Apart 
from  his  complexion,  he  would  be  in  as  much  demand,  in 
churches  of  our  best  class,  as  the  best  of  his  classmates. 
I  regard  Mr.  Reeve  as  entitled  to  no  common  interest 
from  his  white  brethren  as  a  candidate  for  the  pulpit.  I 
have  never  known  a  man  of  color  at  all  comparable  to 
him.     I  rejoice  that  he  is  called  to  Philadelphia. 

"  Yours  in  Christ, 

"Trios.  H.  Skixner." 


336        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

The  war  was  over.  The  two  "  Refreshment  Saloons  " 
■were  publicly  closed,  August  2Sth,  18G5,  with  appropriate 
ceremonies  at  the  Academy  of  Music. 

Fourteen  hundred  soldiers,  however,  arriving  just  at  this 
time,  the  "  Union  "  Saloon  was  reopened,  and  provided 
meals  for  30,000  returning  troops,  additional.  It  was 
finally  closed  December  1st,  1865,  and  the  buildings  taken 
down  on  the  3d  of  January,  1866.  It  went  into  opera- 
tion on  the  2*7^1  of  May,  1861; — and  during  this  period 
the  receipts  were  estimated  at  about  $130,000,  including 
money,  sanitary  stores,  and  donations  in  provisions,  etc. 

"  From  this  fund  more  than  a  million  of  meals  were 
provided,  not  only  for  the  soldiers,  but  for  sailors,  refugees, 
freedmen,  and  Southern  prisoners  or  deserters  ;  no  one  who 
claimed  their  hospitality  ever  being  turned  away.  All  this 
was  done  by  the  voluntary  offerings  of  the  people,  day  by 
day,  week  by  week,  month  by  month,  and  year  by  }' ear,  the 
Committee  receiving  no  aid  whatever  from  city,  State,  or 
general  government 

"  Two  hospitals  were  erected  in  connection  with  the 
Saloon,  where  15,000  sick  and  wounded  have  received 
medical  treatment,  and  20,000  have  had  their  wounds 
dressed  in  iransilu.^^ 

Hon.  Edward  Everett  said  of  this  enterprise,  "  It  has 
given  your  city  a  new  and  most  commanding  title  to  her 
beautiful  name." 

"As  at  a  well-spring  struck  on  holy  grourd, 
Here  Patriotism  drew  its  life  anew  ; 
And  like  the  draught  Samaria's  daughter  found. 
Its  freshness  lasted  all  the  journey  through." 

When  these  buildings  were  closed  and  removed,  the 
"Committee"  sent  to  Dr.  Brainerd,  as  memorials  of  his 
interest  in  them,  and  their  appreciation  of  it,  one  of  the 
dinner  castors  which  had  been  used  in  this  service,  and  a 
fine  larffe  stuffed  Eagle, — the  cift  to  the  Saloon  of  a  soldier 


NEW  YEAR'S  MORNING   PRAYER-MEETINGS.      33t 

from  Northern  New  York,  wlio  early  in  the  conflict  laid 
down  his  life  for  his  country.  Never  were  sacred  relics 
more  highly  valued  or  more  fondly  cherished. 

Early  on  a  summer  morning-  of  1805,  lsh\  Brainerd  heard 
the  approaching-  tramp  of  many  horses  in  the  street,  and 
rising-  hastily,  reached  the  window  just  in  time  to  see  one 
of  the  young-  men  from  his  church,  Colonel  Charles  H. 
Hand,  who  went  out  at  the  first  call  for  volunteers,  return- 
ing .at  the  head  of  a  regiment  of  cavalry. 

Bronzed  and  scarred  in  the  service,  as  well  as  his  war- 
Avorn  veteran  soldiers,  tlie  instant  and  mutual  recognition, 
with  the  bow,  smile,  and  wave  of  the  hand,  between  the 
pastor  and  the  young  officer,  conveyed  the  crateful  as- 
surance of  the  return  of  peace.  Colonel  Hand  had  been 
in  numberless  engagements  through  the  war.  He  was 
swamped  in  the  Shenandoah,  taken  prisoner,  wounded  and 
imperiled  often  on  land  and  sea,  but  escaped  all  to  return 
in  safety. 

Dr.  Brainerd  introduced  in  his  church  tlie  early  New- 
Year's  morning-  prayer-meetings,  commencing  January, 
1838,  the  year  after  his  settlement,  and  continuing  with- 
out interruption  through  every  year  of  his  ministry  in 
Pine  Street  Church,  the  last  one  being  held  on  New 
Year's  morning,  1866.  He  never  failed  to  be  present 
at  these  early  meetings,  in  all  conditions  of  health  and  of. 
weather.  It  was  a  most  inspiriting-  sight  to  those  who  had 
braved  the  winter  storm,  or  trodden  over  the  crisp,  spark- 
ling snow  before  light,  to  find  the  large  lecture-room  well 
filled  with  a  happy,  grateful  company  ;  and  at  the  close  of 
the  hour's  service,  to  witness  the  hearty  congratulations 
and  good  wishes  expressed  on  every  side.  Several  people 
uniformly  attended  these  meetings  from  Wharton  Street,  a 
mile  south,  and  from  Vine  Street,  a  mile  north  of  the 
church. 

2U* 


338        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

Other  churches  in  the  city  followed  this  example,  after 
a  few  3'ears,  making  it  quite  a  Philadelphia  custom. 

Dr.  Brainerd  usually  gave  out  a  "  maxim  ^'  toward  the 
close  of  the  meeting,  as  a  help  to  the  members  of  the 
church  in  their  purposes  of  improvement  for  the  new  year, 
or  of  resignation  and  trust  under  its  trials.  Quite  a  num- 
ber have  told  him  that  they  religiously  adopted  these 
"maxims"  as  monitors  through  the  year,  and  found  sul)- 
stantial  aid  and  comfort  in  so  doing.  Some  of  the  younger 
members  kept  a  record  of  them,  noting  their  success  or 
failure  in  abiding  by  the  spirit  of  their  instructions. 

We  give  here  a  few  ofthe.se  "  maxims"  as  specimens  of 
their  character. 

Obey  and  trust. 

Do  right,  because  it  is  right. 

Be,  and  not  seem. 

"  liife  for  life  " — Life  here,  for  life  Eternal. 

Never  be  troubled  about  what  you  can't  help;  nor  ichat 
you  can  ! 

In  the  early  years  of  his  ministry,  a  metrical  one  was 
given  out: 

I  will  not  knowingly  offend, 

Nor  easily  be  offended  ; 
What  is  wrong  I'll  strive  to  mend, 

And  endure  what  can't  be  men  Jed. 

The  first  public  "Thanksgiving"  ever  appointed  by 
the  Governor  of  Pennsylvania  was  in  the  fall  of  1838. 
From  this  time  until  his  death  Dr.  Brainerd  never  failed, 
in  a  single  instance,  to  officiate  in  his  own  pulpit  on  these 
anniversaries.  He  regarded  it  as  a  signal  mercy  that  be 
had  health  and  ability  to  be  present  at  every  New  Year's 
prayer-meeting  for  twenty-eightyears,  and  to  preach  twenty- 
eight  Thanksgiving  Sermons. 

About  the  year  1860,  a  few  young  men  of  Dr.  Brainerd's 
church  established  a  Sabbath-school  in  the  vicinity  of  the 


THE  '^  ROBERT  R  A  IKES  SCffOOL."  339 

Navy  Yard,  naming  it  "  The  Bratnerd  Mission  School." 
Mr.  Randolph  Sailer  was  the  originator  and  the  moving 
spirit  of  this  enterprise,  and  carried  it  forward  with  great 
energy  and  skill.  The  school  was  held  in  the  hall  of  one 
of  the  fire  companies,  until  the  room  became  entirely  too 
small  for  its  operations.  Mr.  Sailer  then  matured  a 
project  for  building  a  fine  large  chapel  in  Greenwich  Street, 
suitable  for  religious  services,  in  a  neighborhood  where 
such  an  influence  was  greatly  needed.  The  money  was 
secured  by  his  efforts;  a  tasteful  building  erected  at  a  cost 
of  $12,000  dollars,  and  paid  for,  and  the  new  chapel  was 
dedicated  on  the  14th  of  January,  1866. 

Dr.  Brainerd  officiated  at  the  dedication.  Preaching  was 
held  in  the  chapel  every  Sabl)ath  evening  to  large  and 
attentive  congregations,  from  the  time  of  its  completion. 

The  following  year,  186T,  the  entei'prise  grew  into  a 
self-sustaining  church,  under  the  title  of  "  The  Greenavich 
Street  Church."  The  Rev.  Mr.  Hutton  was  chosen  pas- 
tor, and  Mr.  Randolph  Sailer  elected  an  elder.  Mr.  Sailer 
was  a  graduate  of  Union  Theological  Seminary  in  1860  ; 
but  he  was  compelled  to  relinquish  his  cherished  purpose 
of  preaching  on  account  of  a  serious  affection  of  his  eyes. 
Had  he  foreseen  the  shortness  of  his  life-service,  he  could 
not  better  have  appropriated  it  than  in  planting  a  Christian 
church,  where  the  gospel  which  he  was  not  allowed  him- 
self to  preach  should  be  faithfully  proclaimed  by  other 
men.  Mr.  Sailer  followed  his  beloved  pastor  to  the  upper 
sanctuary  in  just  three  years  from  the  dedication  of  his 
favorite  "Mission  Cha2:>el."  He  was  a  young  man  of  fine 
talents,  of  uncommon  executive  power,  and  of  most  con- 
sistent and  symmetrical  piety. 

Another  Sabbath-school  in  which  Dr.  Brainerd  was 
deeply  interested  was  that  of  the  "Robert  Raikes  School," 
in  Sixth  Street,  below  Fitzwater.  Originally  started  on 
the  "union"  plan,  it  had  gradually  become  ^foster-child  of 


340        LIFE   OF  REV.  THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

Pine  Street  Church.  For  seventeen  years  it  was  sustained 
by  Dr.  Brainerd's  church,  while  the  sui)erintendent  and 
teachers  were  all  drawn  from  the  same  source.  The 
building  in  which  the  school  was  held  for  many  years, 
under  the  old  "  union"  tenure,  was  unexpectedly  sold, 
without  the  knowledge  of  the  managers,  and  the  school 
turned  adrift,  homeless  The  house  would  have  been  pur- 
chased by  Pine  Street  Church  if  this  movement  had  been 
known  in  season  for  counsel  and  united  action.  Enrolling 
between  three  and  four  hundred  scholars,  the  school  was 
forced  to  accept  such  temporary  accommodations  as  the 
neighborhood  afforded,  which  were  neither  comfortable  nor 
sufiScient.  In  connection  with  the  teachers  and  superin- 
tendent. Dr.  Brainerd  attempted  to  secure  for  the  school  a 
better  building  than  the  one  from  which  it  had  been  so  in- 
considerately ejected.  He  obtained  permission  from  the 
Trustees  of  Pine  Street  Church  to  erect  a  suitable  building 
for  the  use  of  the  school,  on  the  burial-lot  in  Carpenter 
Street,  belonging  to  the  church,  and  enlisted  for  the  work 
the  interest  of  several  of  his  liberal  men.* 

At  this  stage  of  the  enterprise  Dr.  Brainerd  was  obliged 
to  leave  the  city,  but  he  assured  the  noble  band  of  teachers, 
who  were  endeavoring  to  collect  funds  for  the  new  build- 
ing, that  after  his  return  he  would  give  his  first  attentioa 
to  this  work,  and  see  it  through  to  its  completion. 

The  dismay  which  followed  the  sudden  death  of  their 
pastor,  the  complicity  of  claims  arising  from  the  necessity 
of  refitting  the  church,  in  order  to  preserve  its  prosperity, 
created  some  hinderance  and  discouragement  at  first.  But 
the  friends  of  the  Robert  Raikes  School  wisely  considered 
the  carrvins"  out  of  Dr.  Brainerd's  views  in  this  matter  as 


■■■■  A  co])y  of  the  Eesolution  of  the  Trustees,  granting  the  appropria- 
tion of  the  lot  for  the  school-house,  was  taken  from  Dr.  Brainerd's  coat 
pocket  after  his  death,  in  August,  18G6. 


THE  ROLL    OF  IIOXOR.  341 

the  l)est  proof  of  their  regard  for  him,  and  the  result  en- 
tirely justified  the  decision. 

With  great  labor  and  self-sacrifice  on  the  part  of  a  f(!\v, 
the  superintendent  assuming  personally  the  responsibility 
of  half  the  pecuniary  expense,  a  beautiful  building  was 
completed,  at  a  cost  of  seven  thousand  dollars,  and  was 
ready  for  occupation  on  the  first  of  January,  186t.  The 
name  was  changed  from  "Robert  Raikes"  to  "The 
Brainerd  Memorial  School,"  as  the  "  Brainerd  Mission 
School"  was  merged  in  the  "Greenwich  Street  Church." 

On  the  second  anniversarj"  of  the  school,  in  its  new 
building,  and  the  twenty-first  year  of  its  age,  the  super- 
intendent, Mr.  George  Griffiths,  reported  400  scholars,  5G 
experienced,  earnest  teachers,  with  a  new  library  of  1000 
volumes.  A  large  number  from  this  nursery  have  joined 
the  communion  of  Pine  Street  Church,  and  the  place  is 
already  becoming  too  strait  for  them. 

Greenwich  Street  Sabbath-school  gives  evidence  of  equal 
prosperity  on  its  eighth  anniversar\^,  reporting  500  schol- 
ars, and  at  the  close  of  the  second  year,  "the  church  owns 
property  Avorth  $17,000,  and  owes  nothing." 

Including  the  Home  School  at  Pine  Street  Church,  about 
twelve  hundred  children  have  received  Sabbath-school  in- 
struction from  the  parent  church, — each  of  the  three 
schools  averaging  over  400  scholars. 

One  of  Dr.  Brainerd's  prominent  characteristics  was 
his  love  for  his  young  people;  and  almost  his  last  act  was 
to  secure  a  permanent  memorial  to  the  patriotism  and  valor 
of  those  who  had  served  their  country,  both  the  living  and 
the  dead.  A  Roll  of  Honor,  recording  the  names  of  the 
one  hundred  and  thirly  volunteers  who  had  entered  the 
army  and  navy  for  the  war,  beautifully  engrossed  and 
framed,  was  placed  in  the  vestibule  of  rhu  church,*  while 

®  Four  families  gave  three  sons  to  the  service  of  their  country,  and  nine 
families  sent  two  members  each  to  the  Held. 


342   LIFE  OF  REV.  THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

an  exquisitely  finished  Mural  Tablet,  designed  by  Ed- 
win Greble,  Esq.,  contained  tlie  names  of  the  eighteen  who 
bad  fallen  in  the  conflict.  The  tablet  is  four  feet  by  seven, 
of  fine  Italian  marble,  with  a  design  in  bass-relief  carved 
in  a  panel  at  the  top,  representing  the  martyr's  crown  of 
thorns,  with  the  shackles  of  slavery  severed  by  the  sword. 
Then  follow,  in  chronological  order,  the  names  of  the  young 
men,  with  the  date  and  the  place  of  their  death.  Two 
were  starved  to  death  in  Libby  Prison,  and  two  were 
killed  at  the  storming  of  Petersburg.  The  tablet  was 
placed  at  the  right  hand  of  the  middle  door  of  entrance, 
in  a  roomy  vestibule,  which  is  filled  every  Sabbath  with 
visitors,  examining  with  reveren(?e  and  admiration  this 
well-merited  tribute  to  the  "  Martyrs  of  Pine  Street 
Church."  They  bear  among  them  the  rank  of  Lieutenant, 
Captain,  Adjutant,  and  Surgeon,  and  the  brave  young 
men  of  the  rank  and  file  are  here  equally  honored  and 
lamented. 

When  the  tablet  was  j^laced  in  the  wall  on  the  1st  of 
May,  1866,  an  inauguration  ceremony  was  observed,  which 
was  generally  noticed  and  fully  described  in  the  daily  and 
weekly  papers,  both  religious  and  secular.  One  of  them 
thus  speaks  of  it : 

"An  occasion  of  solemn  and  unwonted  interest  was  wit- 
nessed in  Old  Pine  Street  Church  on  Tuesday,  May  1st. 
The  mural  tablet,  inscribed  with  the  names  of  the  fallen 
heroes,  whom  the  old  church  will  now  cherish  as  among 
her  most  precious  ornaments,  and  whose  record  of  service 
and  martyrdom  she  shall  twine  forever  as  a  thread  of  gold 
among  her  histor}'",  had  been  conspicuously  placed  in  the 
wall  of  the  vestibule,  and  now  the  pastor  and  people 
assembled  suitably  to  commemorate  the  deed." 

[The  tablet  is  then  described,  and  the  introductory  ser- 
vices of  music  and  prayer  suitably  noticed.] 

"  Dr  Brainerd  said  that  '  he  hoped  the  duty  of  doing 


INAUGURATION  OF  THE  MURAL    TABLET.      343 

honor  to  our  noble  dead,  beo-un  in  this  church  to-day,  would 
be  followed  by  every  church  in  the  land.  lie  knew  that 
if  those  whose  names  are  inscribed  upon  that  tablet  had 
been  asked  what  tribute  they  would  most  delight  in,  if 
they  were  to  fall  in  their  country's  cause,  the}^  would  pre- 
fer to  be  remembered  by  their  church,  and  honored  just  as 
we  have  honored  them.  Many  of  those  whose  names 
appear  on  the  tablet  he  had  baptized  in  their  infancy,  and 
he  felt  still  that  they  were  his  children.' 

"Dr.  Brainerd  said,  'Our  action  to-day  was  designed: 

"'1.  As  a  perpetual  rebuke  to  the  traitors  by  whose 
hands  they  fell,  and  the  disposition  to  conciliate  the  trea- 
son for  which  they  fell. 

"'2.  As  marking  the  priceless  cost  of  the  unity  and 
freedom  wi'ought  out  by  their  sufferings. 

"'3.  As  a  tribute  to  their  own  noble  patriotism. 

'"4.  As  a  consolation  to  bereaved  mothers  and  sisters, 
who  have  in  these  sons  no  treasure  but  their  memory  and 
their  fame.'" 

Dr.  Brainerd  then  introduced  Charles  Giblions,  Esq., 
who  made  a  most  telling  speech.  He  was  followed  by 
Hon.  Morton  McMichael,  the  Mayor  of  Philadelphia,  who 
in  a  few  well  chosen  words  stated  that  he  was  there  in 
his  o^cfaZ  capacity  :  "  lie  came  in  the  name  of  his  high 
position,  as  the  chief  magistrate  of  Philadelphia,  to  in- 
dorse the  action  of  this  congregation  in  the  erection  of  that 
monument  to  their  honored  dead.  He  hoped  to  see  the 
example  emulated  by  every  church  in  the  land." 

After  the  Mayor's  short  address,  the  assembly  was  dis- 
missed with  the  benediction. 

It  was  said  by  one  of  the  city  editors  "that  no  tribute  to 
the  memory  of  the  gallant  men  who  perished  as  martyrs 
to  a  hoh^  cause  could  be  more  appropriate.  It  would  keep 
their  memories  green  in  the  localities  whei'e  thev  were  best 


344        ^^^FE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

known,  and  hanrl  down  to  posterity  an  imperisliable  record 
of  their  patriotic  deeds." 

The  day  following  this  public  service,  as  Dr.  Brainerd 
stood  in  the  vestibule  of  the  church  exaniining  this  beau- 
tiful monument,  he  said  to  himself,  as  if  thinking  aloud, 
"  Xow  I  have  done  everything  for  my  dear  boys  that  I 
can  possibly  do  for  them  !" 

At  the  meeting  of  the  General  Assembly  in  May,  ISGO, 
Dr.  Brainerd  was  appointed  Chairman  of  the  New  School 
Committee  on  "  Reunion  "  He  was  appointed  on  the 
first  Committee  to  open  "Fraternal  Corresi)ondence  "  with 
the  other  branch  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  1849,  and 
submitted  a  paper  in  relation  to  it.  He  had  marked  the 
progress  of  confidence  and  fraternal  bearing  through  these 
seventeen  years  with  growing  interest.  Jn  the  Report  of 
the  Committee,  which  met  in  the  City  of  New  York  in 
February  and  May  of  the  following  year,  1867,  it  was 
said  :  "  The  circumstances  in  which  the  Committees  held 
their  first  meeting  were  so  peculiar  as  to  demand  special 
mention,  as  they  were  fitted  to  produce  an  unusual 
sobriety. 

"  The  chairmen  of  both  Committees,  as  originally  con- 
stituted, were  absent.  One,  Rev.  Dr.  Brainerd,  had  been 
translated  to  that  world  Avhere  all  the  distinctions  of 
Christian  discipleship,  which  exist  on  the  earth,  are  lost 
in  the  harmony  of  heaven.  The  other,  Rev.  Dr.  Krebs, 
was  disabled  by  severe  illness  from  all  participation  in 
our  conferences,  waiting  for  that  change  to  come  which 
will  unite  him  to  the  great  company  of  Christian  ministers 
in  the  kins'dom  of  God." 


CHAPTER    XV. 

FOURTH   OF   JULY,  18GG — RECEPTION    OP   STATE   FLAGS. 

PREPARATIONS  were  being  made  on  a  great  scale 
for  the  celebration  of  the  approaching  Fourth  of  July ; 
wliieh  was  to  be  signalized  by  the  reception  of  the  State 
Flags.  Ten  thousand  dollars  were  appropriated  by  the 
City  Councils  of  Philadelphia  to  defray  the  expenses  of 
the  coming  ceremonies;  and  everything  was  done  to  make 
this  closing  scene  of  the  great  events  of  the  last  five  years 
worthy  of  the  history  which  it  commemorated.  An  im- 
mense amphitheater  of  semicircular  seats  was  erected  in 
Independence  Square,  back  of  Independence  Hall,  leaving 
an  open  space  in  front,  of  one  hundred  feet,  through  to  the 
Walnut  Street  gate.  The  seats,  fifteen  in  number,  rising 
one  above  the  other,  the  last  being  sixteen  feet  elevation 
from  the  ground.  The  staging  included  in  these  arrange- 
ments accommodated  over  six  thousand  persons.  The 
stand  in  the  center,  with  an  elevation  of  ten  feet,  was  de- 
signed for  the  principal  actors  in  the  "Reception."  This 
center  platform  was  capable  of  seating  over  sixty  persons ; 
the  whole,  including  the  rear  of  the  State  House,  the 
entrance  gates  to  the  Square,  and  the  arcade  of  stately 
trees,  was  beautifully  ornamented  with  national  flags  and 
mottoes. 

About  three  weeks  in  advance  of  this  celebration,  Dr. 
Brainerd  received  the  following  note  from  Colonel  Ell- 
maker  : 

30  (345) 


346        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

"  United  States  Marshal's  Offtce, 
"Philadelphia,  June  13th,  1866. 

"  Rev.  and  dear  Sir: 

"  You  have  Ijeen  selected  by  the  committee  a|)pointed 
to  make  arrangements  for  the  reception  of  the  State  Colors, 
on  the  Fourth  of  July  next,  hv  his  Excellency  Governor 
Curtin,  to  offer  a  prayer  at  the  commencement  of  the  cere- 
monies in  Independence  Square.  Will  you  have  the  kind- 
ness to  let  me  hear  from  you  at  an  early  day  on  the  sul)- 

ject? 

Yery  truly  your  obt.  servt., 

"  P.  C.  Ellmaker,  Chairman  of  Commiltee. 
"Rev.  Thos.  Brainerd." 

No  celebration  of  the  kind  was  ever  attended  with  such 
excitement  in  Philadelphia.  The  early  part  of  the  day 
was  fine  ;  and  the  seats  af>propriated  to  spectators  were 
filled  long  before  the  appointed  hour.  The  seats  on 
the  left  of  the  amphitheater  were  occupied  by  the  orphan 
children  of  the  soldiers  from  the  various  "Homes"  of 
Penns3ivania.  Twelve  hundred  were  present ;  and,  until 
the  arrival  of  the  militar}'  procession,  they  sung  a  number 
of  touching  songs,  prepared  for  the  occasion. 

The  head  of  the  grand  procession  reached  the  Walnut 
Street  gate  of  the  Square  at  ten  minutes  of  eleven  o'clock. 
The  first  to  enter  the  gate  was  Major-General  Hancock 
and  staff,  amid  cheers  that  might  have  been  heard  at  Wal- 
nut Street  wharf.  Soon  afterward  Major-General  Meade 
and  staff  entered,  and  again  shout  after  shout  rent  the  air. 
The  Square  soon  became  filled  by  the  numerous  color- 
bearers,  with  their  standards  torn  and  discolored,  which 
excited  those  who  saw  them  to  a  still  higher  pitch  of  en- 
thusiasm. "  Up  toward  the  walls  of  the  hall  the  tattered 
banners  were  borne ;  up  the  avenue  came  the  bronzed 
guards  who  had  borne  them  through  scores  of  battles ; 
and  up  rose  the  multitudes  of  men  and  women  who  had 


RECEPTION  OF  STATE  FLAGS.  34t 

been  awaiting  the  magnificent  sight.  No  living  man  or 
woman  will  ever  see  such  a  sight  again  as  that  presented 
when  those  torn  flags  were  gathered  aroand  the  stand 
where  the  reception  was  to  take  place."  In  solid  phalanx, 
through  the  whole  length  of  the  avenue,  one  hundred  feet 
wide,  from  the  hall  to  the  Walnut  Street  gate,  was  this 
forest  of  battle-stained,  war-worn,  shattered  standards,  in 
the  hands  of  the  very  veterans  who  had  carried  them 
through  the  strife  and  fire  of  battle. 

The  exercises  were  opened  by  the  playing  of  a  triumphal 
march  by  Birgfeld's  Band,  after  which  a  short  introductory 
speech  was  made  by  General  White,  who  announced  that 
prayer  would  be  oflfered  by  Rev.  Thomas  Brainerd. 

The  presentation  of  the  colors  to  Governor  Curtin  by 
General  Meade  then  followed. 

General  Meade  said,  amid  repeated  cheering  :  "  Of  all 
the  honors  that  have  been  showered  upon  me  for  the 
humble  services  which  it  has  been  in  my  power  to  render 
to  my  country,  none  have  been  so  grateful  to  me,  and  of 
none  am  I  so  proud,  as  being  on  this  occasion  the  repre- 
sentative of  these  hardy  and  noble  men  who  stand  before 


vou. 


4:4:**:(:*4:3|: 


"I  will  not  attempt  here  to  recount  the  deeds  of  the 
soldiers  of  Pennsylvania.  To  do  so  would  be  to  repeat 
the  history  of  this  war;  for,  with  few  exceptions,  there  is 
not  a  battle-field  from  Gettysburg  to  Mobile  that  the 
ground  has  not  been  stained  by  the  blood  of  the  soldiers 
of  Pennsylvania." 

In  his  reply.  Governor  Curtin  said:  "If  I  consulted 
my  own  feelings,  I  would  receive  these  flags  in  silence  ; 
for  this  occasion  is  its  own  most  eloquent  orator.  Human 
lips  cannot  express  such  lessons  of  patriotism,  of  sacrifice 
and  heroism  as  these  sacred  relics  sublimely  attest. 

"  As  the  official  representative  of  the  Commonwealth,  I 


348        LIFE   OF  REV.  THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

cannot  take  back  the  remnants  oftlic  colors  she  committed 
to  your  keeping  without  attempting  to  gather  into  my  arms 
tlie  full  measure  of  her  overflowing  gratitude  and  lay  it  at 
your  feet. 

*  *  *         *        "  In  the  presence  of  these  mute 

symbols  of  living  soldiers  [pointing  to  the  flags],  of  yonder 
touching  memorials  of  our  dead  soldiers  [pointing  to  the 
children],  in  fealty  to  the  blood  poured  out  like  water,  in 
remembrance  of  the  sorrows  yet  to  be  assuaged  and  the 
burdens  yet  to  borne,  in  loyalty  to  our  State,  to  our  coun- 
try, to  our  fellow  men  everywhere,  and  to  God,  let  us  rise 
to  the  height  of  our  great  privileges  and  place  the  Ameri- 
can government  upon  the  enduring  basis  of  justice  and 
liberty." 

No  feature  of  the  celebration  was  more  impressive  than 
the  presence  of  the  soldiers'  orphans,  twelve  hundred  in 
number,  who  are  provided  for  and  educated  by  the  State 
of  Pennsylvania.  The  boys,  in  uniform,  six  hundred  and 
fifty,  walked  in  the  procession  with  soldierly  pride  and 
manliness.  After  the  ceremonies  of  the  morning,  a  sump- 
tuous dinner  was  provided  for  them,  at  the  Soldiers'  Home, 
Sixteenth  and  Filbert  Streets,  by  Mrs.  John  Winter,  at 
her  own  expense.  They  were  visited  here  by  many  dis- 
tinguished citizens,  and  in  the  afternoon  were  taken  to 
the  League  House,  where  Governor  Curtin  made  a  short 
address  to  them. 

The  little  girls,  about  five  hundred,  rode  in  the  beautiful 
ambulances  of  the  fire  companies,  which,  during  the  war, 
had  borne  so  m'any  thousands  of  our  wounded  soldiers 
from  the  railroad  stations  to  the  hospitals.  These  were 
fitted  up  and  decorated  for  this  grateful  service,  and  were 
now  filled  with  these  little  girls,  each  carrying  in  her  hand 
a  small  American  flag,  and  singing  as  they  moved  along. 
A  delegation  from  forty-five  fire  companies,  in  full  equip- 
ments, with  chief  engineer  and  assistants,  acted  as  "guard 


RECEPTION'  OF  STATE  FLAGS.  349 

of  honor"  to  these  children.  Many  of  the  Ijrave  men  ht\A 
themselves  served  in  the  war  who  were  now  jruardinji-  their 
fallen  comrades'  children.*     It  was  a  beautiful  spectacle. 

Dr.  Brainerd's  friends  remember  the  enthusiasm  with 
which  he  entered  into  every  interest  relating  to  the  coun- 
try. He  regarded  these  great  public  demonstrations  as 
links  uniting  the  past  with  the  present — "the  patriots  who 
created  the  Union  with  the  patriots  who  saved  it."  It  has 
been  said  of  our  national  festival  that  "  God  himself  long 
ago  took  this  day  into  his  own  keeping  and  crowned  it 
with  glory  and  honor,  which  it  should  be  ou?'  glor}^  and 
honor  to  preserve." 

During  the  performance  of  the  "  Triumphal  March,"  at 
the  beginning  of  the  exercises.  Dr.  Brainerd  observed  the 
Rev.  Dr  Hutter,  a  friend  of  twenty  years,  on  the  platform 
near  him.  He  beckoned  to  him,  and  as  he  approached 
said,  "I  am  nervous  and  nhaky  under  this  excitement. 
Brother  Hutter.  Will  you  give  me  the  support  of  your 
arm  through  my  part  of  the  service  ?"  Dr.  Hutter  re- 
plied, "There  is  no  one  I  would  rather  have  lean  upon  me, 
Brother  Brainerd."  "And  there  is  no  one  whom  I  would 
rather  lean  upon,"  added  Mr.  Brainerd  f 

The  great  heat  of  the  day  at  high  noon  ;  the  discomfort 
of  the  packed  crowd,  both  on  the  platform  and  throughout 
the  square;  the  hum  and  buzz  of  thirty  thousand  people, 
made  it  impossible  for  the  speaker  to  be  heard  except  by 
those  inmiediately  around  him.  Even  the  reporters  only 
caught  an  occasional  phrase,  so  that  the  published  petition 
was  really  the  repor-ters^  prayer,  instead  of  Dr.  Brainerd's. 

*  These  items  of  the  celebration  are  of  course  gleaned  from  the  reports 
of  the  papers  at  the  time. 

f  This  little  fraternal  colloquy  was  related  some  weeks  after  by  Dr. 
Hutter,  who  said  to  a  member  of  his  family,  on  his  return  home,  "Dt, 
Brainerd  is  more  feeble  than  his  friends  imagine, — a  general  tremor 
affected  him  through  the  whole  of  his  prayer." 


350        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

After  the  service  was  over,  he  turned  to  Governor  Cur- 
tin  and  General  Meade,  who  stood  near  him,  and  said,  "/ 
hope  the  Lord  heard  that  prayer,  for  lam  sure  no  one 
ehe  did  /" 

This  was  his  last  public  service  for  the  City  of  Philadel- 
phia and  the  country  he  loved  so  intensely.  It  was  fitting 
that  he  should  be  there.  He  had  served  through  the  four 
years'  struggle  with  treason  as  faithfully  as  these  veteran 
soldiers ;  he  had  watched,  and  labored,  and  prayed  with 
them  and  for  them.  It  was  fitting  he  should  lay  down  his 
colors,  with  these  toil-marked  and  blood-marked  banners, 
on  the  birthday  of  the  nation — "  born  again"  to-day  to  a 
purer  and  higher  life,  and  "baptized''^  yv\i\\  the  blood  of 
'■'■four  hundred  thousand''^  of  her  sons.  It  was  a  most 
appropriate  close  of  his  patriotic  life. 

Dr.  Brainerd  preached  in  his  own  pulpit  on  the  following 
Sabbath,  July  8th.  This  was  his  farewell  message  to  his 
own  beloved  Christian  household,  and  it  seemed  to 
breathe  a  prophetic  consciousness  of  his  removal  from 
them. 

He  preached  from  the  text,  "Abide  with  us,  for  it  is 
towards  evening  and  the  day  is  far  spent."  Luke,  xxiv.  29. 

After  the  introduction,  he  said,  "  This  was  a  proper 
prayer  for  us.  We  could  have  the  spiritual  presence  of 
Jesus,  if  we  could  not  have  his  visible  presence.  We 
could  have  him  for  eternity,  instead  of  a  tarrier  for  a 
night. 

"  We  may  sa}^,  '  Abide  with  us,'  by  the  efficacy  of  his 
atonement ; 

"By  the  ever-present  aid  of  his  spirit : 
"  '  Lo,  I  am  with  you  alway.' 

" '  Where  two  or  three  are  gathered  together  in  my 
name,'  etc. 
"In  the  light  of  his  truth  he  will  'abide  with  us.' 
"  Truth  heard,  remembered,  understood. 


A    FAREWELL   MESSAGE.  351 

'• '  Did  not  our  lioavt  buni  within  us  while  he  opened 
to  us  the  Scriptures?' 
"  Truth  obeyed :  '  Whosoever  shall  do  the  will  of 
God,  the  same  is  my  brother,  and  sister,  and 
mother.' 
"  '  Abide  with  us '  to  sanctify  : 

"We  need  penitence,  humility,  faith. 
We  need  a  model 

For  prayer,  for  forbearance,  for  benevolence. 
'  He  went  about  doing  good.' 
"  '  Abide  with  us  '  in  thy  sympathy  : 

"We   have   such   burdens  in   Providence;    in   our 
sins  ;  in  the  spirit  of  the  world  ;  we  need  sym- 
pathy. 
"  '  Abide  with  us'  by  thy  power : 

"  To  protect  us  from  evil ;  to  aid  and  answer  our 
prayers  ;  to  give  effect  to  our  labors.     '  I  can  do 
all  things  through   Christ  which  strengtheneth 
me.' 
"  Abide  with  us  all: 

"  These  little  children;  these  young  men  and  maid- 
ens; these  in  middle  life  ;  these  aged  ones,  with 
whom  'it  is  towards  evening  and  the  day  is  far 
spent.' 
"Abide  with  us  everywhere  : 

"In  this  house;  in  our  families;  our  stores ;  our 
journeys. 
"  Abide  with  us  ever : 

"  In  prosperity;  in  affliction  ;  in  death;  at  the  judg- 
ment-seat. 
"  If  Jesus  abide  with  us  we  are  safe. 

"  Let  us,  in  view  of  this  subject, 
"  Remove  every  hinderance  to  the  abidance  of  Christ. 
"  Let  us  tell  the  world  how  blessed  it  is  to  have  the 
abidance  of  Christ." 


352        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRATNERD,  D.J). 

Tins  skeleton  was  filled  out  in  his  own  way,  with  full 
illustrations  on  every  point.  The  occasion  of  his  prospec- 
tive journey  led  him  to  say  many  tender  and  touching- 
thini^s.  He  prayed  that  Jesus  would  "abide''''  with  his  be- 
loved people  during  their  separation,  and  amid  all  their 
wanderings. 

The  whole  service  was  imbued  with  the  spirit  and  the 
tenderness  of  a  final  leave-taking  and  benediction.  The 
people  wept  as  though  he  had  spoken  the  words  of  Paul, — 
"That  (hey  should  see  his  face  no  more.'''' 

Dr.  Brainerd  left  Philadelphia  on  the  next  Wednesday, 
July  11th,  to  visit  his  daughter,  in  her  new  residence,  at 
Scranton,  Pa.  He  had  accepted,  with  considerable  he.-jita- 
tion,  an  urgent  invitation  to  preach  at  Easton,  Pa  ,  on  tiie  an- 
niversary of  the  "  Brainerd  Evangelical  Society,"  connected 
with  Lafayette  College,  July  22d.  He  declined  at  first  from 
a  reluctance  to  burden  his  season  of  recreation  with  the  re- 
sponsibilities of  an  important  service;  but  as  the  managers 
of  tliis  anniversary  seemed  ver}^  desirous  to  make  the  occa- 
sion this  year  a  special  "Brainerd  "  service,  he  finally  con- 
sented. His  recent  publication  of  the  life  of  one  of  these 
missionary  brothers,  including  a  sketch  of  the  other,  had 
stimulated  his  interest  in  the  location  of  their  labors,  and 
added  another  motive  to  the  claims  of  the  College  Society. 
He  was  considerably  invigorated  by  his  ten  days  of  rest, 
and  enjoyed  very  much  his  explorations  in  Luzerne  County, 
to  him  a  new  section  of  country.  Commencement-week  at 
Lafayette  College  was  the  hottest  of  the  summer,  and  the 
church  where  he  preached  was  very  much  crowded  and 
illy  ventilated.  Still,  he  felt  no  serious  ill  effects  from  the 
service,  and  spoke  of  his  visit  to  Easton  with  unalloyed 
satisfaction.  The  occasion  was  thus  noticed  by  the  Eas- 
ton Daily  Express : 


THE  BRAINERD   SERVICES.  353 

THE    BRAINERD    SERVICES. 

"Rev.  Thomas  Brainercl,  D.D.,  of  Philadelphia,  grand- 
nephew  of  the  well-known  missionary,  David  Brainerd, 
preached  the  annual  sermon  before  the  Brainerd  Mis- 
sionary Society  of  the  Colleg-e  in  the  Brainerd  Church, 
standing-  on  the  very  spot  consecrated  by  the  self-denying 
labors  of  that  early  and  successful  preacher  to  the  Indians. 
The  text  was,  *  Let  no  man  despise  thy  youth  ;'  and  the 
venerable  divine,  in  language  of  rare  polish,  gave  words  of 
counsel  to  the  young  men  before  him  that  will  long  be  re- 
membered. He  dwelt  upon  the  noble  work  which  David 
Brainerd  had  done,  and  which  was  finished  at  an  early  age 
when  many  ministers  were  just  commencing  theirs.  The 
speaker  was  in  feeble  health,  and  sometimes  his  voice  could 
scarceh^  be  heard  by  all  in  the  crowded  house,  yet  the 
respectful  and  eager  attention  to  catch  every  word,  showed 
how  much  he  was  honored,  and  how  much  the  discourse 
itself  was  valued." 

The  most  observable  symptom  of  impaired  strength  for 
the  past  3'ear  was  in  his  voice,  which  had  been  remarkable 
for  its  compass  and  volume ;  but  now  it  often  seemed  too 
great  an  effort  for  Dr.  Brainerd  to  speak  with  his  accus- 
tomed strength;  although  when  he  became  absorbed  in 
his  subject  he  frequently  rose  to  the  ordinary  tone  of  other 
years.  The  American  Presbyterian,  in  noticing  this  oc- 
casion, says : 

"  There  was  a  singular  and  beautiful  propriety  in  the 
event.  That  he  should  be  invited  to  perform  the  duty 
was  felt  to  be  highly  becoming.  But  that  the  descendant 
and  the  biographer  of  the  Brainerds  who  preached  upon 
that  consecrated  ground  centuries  ago  should,  after  a  life 
of  active  and  honorable  labor  for  the  Master,  give  his  last 
public  testimony  to  the  truth  upon  that  spot,  at  the  call  of 


354        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRATNERD,  D.D. 

the  youth  of  our  day  organized  as  the  Brainerd  Missionary 
Socieli/,  in  '  The  Brainerd  Church:''  this  happy  coincidence 
was  nothing-  less  than  the  seal  of  Providence  put  upon  the 
life-work  of  Thomas  Brainerd." 

This  last  public  service  of  Dr.  Brainerd's  life  was  on  the 
twenty-second  of  July,  ISBG.  On  the  twenty-fourth  he  re- 
turned to  Scranton,  and  for  two  weeks  occupied  himself  in 
riding  and  walking  over  the  beautiful  hills  and  valleys  of 
this  region,  with  great  enjoyment  and  apparently  with 
decided  physical  improvement.  He  relished  a  new  field  ; 
and  the  large  mining  operations  of  this  county  opened  fresh 
sources  of  observation  and  interest  to  him.  Nearly  every 
day  he  would  bring  home  some  incident  of  his  adventures 
to  relate,  especially  in  connection  with  conversations  held 
with  the  miners  at  their  noon  hour  of  rest. 

Talking  with  these  men  one  day,  he  inquired  how  many 
of  them  were  in  the  habit  of  drinking  whisky.  He  then 
asked  what  the  cost  was  per  day.  Making  a  calculation 
for  the  year,  he  showed  them  the  benefits  of  abstinence  in 
a  pecuniary  view, — and  said  that  one  man  could  soon  pur- 
chase a  horse  with  his  savings  ;  and  another  build  a  snug 
house  in  a  few  years.  One  of  the  men  replied  that  a  friend 
of  his  had  tried  the  experiment ;  he  was  sober,  industrious, 
and  economical ;  he  saved  his  money  and  bought  a  horse, 
but  the  horse  died  in  a  week  after,  so  he  lost  his  time,  his 
money,  his  whisky,  and  his  horse  !  Then,  as  the  company 
joined  in  the  laugh  at  his  adroitness,  he  called  out,  "  But 
come  and  see  us  again,  captain  !  We  won't  trifle  with  . 
your  advice." 

Two  events,  of  a  private  social  character,  occurred  just 
before  Dr.  Brainerd  left  Philadelphia,  which  tended  to  in- 
crease his  depression.  One  was  the  departure  for  Europe, 
for  a  term  of  eighteen  months,  of  his  friend  and  former 
elder,  Alexander  Whilldin,  Esq.    Associated  in  the  closest 


DEATH  OF  CAPTAIN    WIIILLDTN.  355 

intimacy  for  thirty  3'ears,  with  never  a  rlissenting-  opinion 
between  them,  Mr.  Brainerd  felt  that  in  Mr.  Whilldin  he 
had  a  true  friend  and  brother,  as  well  as  "  elder''  and 
counselor  ;  a  man  whom  he  could  lean  upon  in  every  time 
of  need.  Although  separated  from  his  church  for  the  last 
few  years,  by  his  removal  to  the  northern  part  of  the  city, 
and  officially  connected  with  North  Broad  Street  Church, 
time  and  distance  made  no  inroads  upon  their  friendship. 
Mr.  Whilldin's  house  was  the  frequent  terminus  of  J\Ir. 
Brainerd's  rides,  the  place  of  his  hreakfant  calls  in  the 
summer  mornings,  and  the  refuge  from  professional  vexa- 
tions that  coveted  a  rest  for  the  heart.  There  was  an 
ominous  shadow  upon  his  mind  when  Mr.  AVhilldin  de- 
parted for  his  long  Eastern  journey,  which  left  the  im- 
pression that  he  had  taken  his  final  leave  of  him. 

The  other  event,  occurring  within  the  same  week  and 
in  the  same  family  connection,  was  the  sudden  death  of 
Captain  Wilmon  Whilldin.  Captain  Whilldin  was  just 
the  age  of  Dr.  Brainerd,  and  their  mutual  friendship  had 
strengthened  with  every  year  of  its  progress.  He  was  a 
man  of  ready  sympathies,  of  most  generous  impulses,  and 
prompt  to  aid,  with  heart  and  purse,  every  benevolent  ob- 
ject which  gained  his  approbation.  He  w^is  President  of 
the  Board  of  Trustees  of  Pine  Street  Church  ;  and  only 
a  day  or  two  before  his  death  he  went  with  Dr.  Brainerd 
to  examine  the  site  for  the  new  Mission  School-house,  de- 
signed for  the  Robert  Raikes  Sabbath-school ;  and  with 
characteristic  enthusiasm  assured  Dr.  Brainerd  that  he 
would  see  this  enterprise  through,  if  he  had  to  build  the 
house  entirely  himself  He  was  an  earnest  patriot,  and 
in  the  very  commencement  of  the  war,  when  Major  An- 
derson and  his  men  were  shut  up  in  Fort  Sumter,  Captain 
Whilldin  declared  if  he  could  gain  the  consent  of  the  gov- 
ernment he  would  "  provision  h  s  steamboat  and  go  directly 
down  to  their  relief." 


356        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

But  the  fate 

"Of  the  bravo  'seventy''  men, 
Shut  up  in  their  narrow  pen,  ♦ 

Battling  for  life" — 

was  settled  before  any  plaus  could  be  matured  for  their 
rescue. 

Captain  Whilldin  always  retained  a  larg-e  share  of  Mr. 
Brainerd's  respect  and  affection. 


CHAPTER    XVI. 

DEATH    AT    SCRANTON,    PA. — FUNERAL    SERVICES. 

IN  just  a  month  after  Dr.  Brainerd  left  Philadelphia  his 
dau.srhter's  two  little  children  were  attacked  with  an 
epidemic  disease,  which  terminated  fatally  in  a  few  days. 
The  youngest  child,  fifteen  months  old,  died  on  the  10th 
of  August ;  and  the  elder,  three  and  a  half  years  of  age, 
on  the  13th.  They  were  very  lovely,  promising  children; 
and  fond  as  Dr.  Brainerd  was  of  all  children,  those  of  his 
only  daughter  w^ere  inexpressibly  dear  to  him.  Worn  by 
the  excitements  of  the  war,  his  nervous  system  was  un- 
equal to  the  shock  of  this  great  bereavement.  He  bore 
it  externally  with  composure,  and  bent  his  efforts  to 
strengthen  the  overwhelmed  young  parents  under  the 
blow.     But  it  was  too  heavy  for  him. 

The  death  of  the  children  being  communicated  by  tele- 
gram to  friends  in  Philadelphia,  and  published  in  the 
papers  there,  called  out  a  number  of  kind,  sympathetic 
letters  from  the  elders  of  Pine  Street  Church  as  well  as 
other  friends  in  the  city.  These  letters  were  so  grateful 
to  him  that  he  replied  to  them  immediately;  and,  in  the 
following  week,  he  had  answered  them  all  but  one,  which 
he  designed  to  write  the  next  day. 

Dr.  Brainerd's  son  had  resigned  his  post  in  the  army, 
and  returned  from  Little  Rock,  Arkansas,  a  few  weeks  pre- 
vious to  these  events.  Leaving  his  wife  and  child  at  Sau- 
gerties.  New  York,  he  joined  the  circle  at  Scranton  on  the 
10th  of  August,  a  few  hours  after  the  death  of  his  sister's 

31  (357) 


358        LIFE   OF  REV.    THOMAS    BRALVERD,  D  D. 

youngest  child.  His  presence  at  this  time  was  a  great 
support  and  comfort  to  the  entire  family.  He  remained  to 
help  them  through  all  that  was  to  follow.  In  the  after- 
noon of  the  21st  of  August,  his  father  walked  with  him 
over  to  H3'de  Park,  a  sul)urb  of  Scranton,  about  two  miles 
distant,  and  back.  He  complained  of  being  a  little  tired, 
but  partook  of  his  supper  with  his  u.-^ual  appetite  and 
joined  in  the  conversation  of  the  evening.  After  reclining 
on  the  sofa  about  half  an  hour,  he  rose,  saying,  "  I  am 
somewhat  tired  and  will  go  to  bed  ;  but  don't  let  me  dis- 
turb the  rest  of  you  ;"  and  bidding  the  family  a  cheerful 
"good-night,"  he  left  the  room.  His  wife  followed  him 
in  a  few  minutes,  and  after  reaching  their  room  he  com- 
menced talking  of  his  grandchildren.  His  wife  said  she 
could  not  yet  reconcile  herself  to  their  death.  He  replied, 
"We  must  he  7-econciled !  I  trust  it  will  do  us  all  good  ; 
I  hope  that  I  shall  be  more  reconciled  to  the  xvill  of  God 
and  better  fitted  for  his  service  by  this  trial.'''  This  was 
the  last  sentence  he  ever  spoke.  He  fell  asleep  in  a  few 
minutes,  and  slept  as  tranquilly  as  a  child  until  after 
eleven  o'clock.  But, — "At  midnight  there  was  a  cry," — 
his  wife  Avas  awakened  at  one  o'clock  by  a  heavy  groan  ; 
believing  he  was  suffering  from  "  nightmare,"  she  en- 
deavored to  rouse  him,  but  in  vain.  Then  hastily  calling 
her  son,  who  had  been  a  practicing  physician  for  six  years, 
and  who  reached  his  father's  bedside  in  half  a  minute, 
every  eil'ort  was  made  to  restore  him  to  consciousness, — 
but,  with  two  or  three  heavy  lireathings  and  then  a  soft 
g;isp,  he  was  gone.  His  daughter  and  her  husband  bent 
over  his  lifeless  form,  and  the  latter  then  ran  for  his  family 
physician  at  the  request  of  Dr.  Brainerd's  son,  who  still 
persisted  in  stimulating  efforts,  even  though  persuaded  of 
their  uselessness.  Dr.  Brainerd's  countenance  all  this 
time  was  perfectly  tranquil  and  natural  ;  he  lay  with  his 
eyes  and  mouih  closed,  and  his  left  hand  under  his  cheek, 


HIS  LAST  LETTER.  359 

as  if  in  a  peaceful  slumber — not  a  shadow  of  fear  or  suffer- 
ing upon  his  face. 

With  the  early  light  of  morning  a  telegram  announcing 
the  death  of  Dr.  Brainerd  was  sent  to  tiie  press,  and  to 
friends  in  Philadelphia,  requesting  them  to  open  the  house 
in  Pine  Street;  and  at  nine  o'clock  a.m.  the  family  left  Scran- 
ton,  with  their  precious  and  silent  burden,  for  the  desolated 
home,  where  they  arrived  at  six  p.m.,  August  22d,  1866. 

The  necessary  measures  for  leaving  Scranton  in  the  early 
train  allowed  no  opportunity  for  funeral  services,  and  yet 
at  the  early  hour  of  eight  a.m.,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Hickok,  of 
Scranton,  with  many  of  the  leading  citizens,  including  the 
Methodist,  Episcopal,  and  Baptist  clergymen  of  the  place, 
gathered  spontaneously  at  the  house  of  Dr.  Brainerd's  son- 
in-law,  where  Dr.  Hickok  conducted  a  short  service  ;  after 
which  they  all  accompanied  the  body  to  the  railroad  station. 

A  large  number  of  Pine  Street  congregation  were  assem- 
bled at  Dr.  Brainerd's  house  on  the  arrival  of  the  family  at 
Philadelphia  for  this  sad  reception.  Before  noon  the  same 
day  the  notice  of  Dr.  Brainerd's  death  was  posted  on  the 
bulletin  boards  of  several  leading  newspapers  of  the  city, 
and  published  in  the  evening  papers,  so  that  the  news  of 
the  event  was  widely  circulated  before  night.  John  C. 
Farr,  Esq.,  one  of  the  elders  of  his  church,  carried  home 
the  tidings  to  his  family;  and  on  reaching  his  summer 
residence,  a  few  miles  from  the  city,  he  found  there  Dr. 
Brainerd's  last  letter,  written  the  day  before,  and  received 
after  his  death.  This  letter  was  read  by  Mr.  Farr  at  the 
Friday  evening  prayer-meeting  the  day  before  Dr.  Brai- 
nerd's interment  at  Pine  Street  Church. 

"Scranton,  August  21st,  1S66. 

"John  C.  Farr.  Esq. 
"  Dear  Brother 
"  Your  kind  and  sympathizing  letter  was  gratefully  re- 
ceived.    We  need  all  the  aid  our  friends  can  furnish  to 


360        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

help  us  bear  our  great  sorrows.  Our  trouble  came  like  a 
clap  of  thunder  in  a  clear  sky.  For  three  weeks  after  we 
reached  here  we  all  had  excellent  health  ;  the  little  chil- 
dren were  full  of  life  and  happiness.  Little  Mary  was  my 
companion  in  my  work  in  the  garden  and  my  walks.  She 
was  one  of  the  sweetest  solaces  of  my  life.  The  little  boy 
was  sick  five  days,  and  the  little  girl  three.  Their  disease 
(dysentery)  was  a  painful  one,  carrying  them  down  rapidly. 
We  had  with  us  Mr.  Boies,  Sr.,  his  daughter  Ella,  and  my 
son  Thomas.  We  had  all  the  support  of  each  other  in  our 
trials,  which  was  a  great  mercy.  Our  house  now  seems 
desolate.  Poor  Emma  and  her  husband  are  quiet,  self- 
controlled,  submissive,  but  perfectly  crushed  in  their  affec- 
tions and  hopes.  I  am  concerned  for  Emma's  mental  and 
physical  health.  She  is  of  the  still  sort,  and  her  feelings 
run  deep.  Her  mother  and  myself  must  not  leave  her 
alone  just  yet  in  her  empty  house.  We  think  some  of 
taking  a  trip  with  Emma  and  her  husband  to  Quebec, 
to  try,  by  new  scenes,  to  break  the  thoughts  which 
overburden  her.  If  I  go,  we  can  hardly  expect  to  get 
back  to  Philadelphia  until  the  middle,  at  least,  of  Sep- 
tember. I  feel  that  my  first  duty  now  is  to  protect  and 
comfort  my  stricken  child.  Is  it  not  so  ?  My  wife  and  I 
have  hardly  reached  the  grace  to  '  rejoice  in  affliction,'  but 
we  lay  '  our  finger  on  our  lips,'  and  bow  our  heads  and  say, 
'the  will  of  the  Lord  be  done.'  '  The  Lord  gave,  and  the 
Lord  hath  taken  away,  and  blessed  be  his  holy  name.' 

"  It  comforts  us  both  to  know  that  old  friends,  like  Mrs. 
Farr  and  yourself,  appreciate  our  sorrows,  and  are  bearing 
and    praying  with  us.     With    love  from    Mrs.   Braincrd, 
Emma,  her  husband,  and  myself  to  you  all, 
"I  remain  your  friend  and  pastor, 

"  Thomas  Brainerd. 

"P.S. — If  you  please,  show  this  letter  to  the  session,  if 
convenient." 


CAUSES   OF  ins  DBA  TIL  SCA 

Anothci'  letter,  written  a  few  days  earlier,  aildressed  to 
Samuel  Work,  Esq.,  was  also  received  after  Dr.  lirainerd's 
death,  in  couseqaence  of  Mr.  Work's  absence  from  the 
city. 

"SCRANTON,  Aug    17,1866. 

"Dear  Brother  Work: 

"I  am  obliged  to  you  for  your  kind,  sympathizing  letter. 
We  are  almost  heart-broken  over  the.loss  of  our  little  ones, 
who  made  the  light  and  joy  of  the  house.  Poor  p]mma  is 
drinking  a  bitter  cup.  I  hope  that  neither  her  mind  nor 
her  health  will  fail  under  the  blow.  Your  own  trials  from 
the  same  cause  I  well  remember,  and  hope  that  Emma 
and  her  mother  will  find  support  where  you  obtained  it — 
at  a  throne  of  grace.  It  seems  to  be  my  duty  now  to 
stav  by  Emma  until  she  rallies  from  her  sorrows;  and 
this  may  detain  me  longer  from  the  church  than  I  at  first 
purposed.     If  so,  I  will  let  you  know  in  time. 

"  I  am  glad  to  hear  of  your  health,  and  that  you  are  en- 
gaged in  plans  for  entering  on  business  for  which  you  are 
so  well  qualified.     May  God  bless  you  above  the  past! 

"  We  are  in  good  hands.  Every  event  in  God's  holy 
providence  will  prove  a  blessing,  if  improved. 

"  With  hearty  love  from  us  all  to  Mrs.  W.,  Mary, 
Samuel,  and  yourself, 

"I  remain  your  friend,  ever, 

"  Tiios.  Brainerd."* 

If  any  immediate  cause  other  than  Dr.  Brainerd's  im- 
paired strength  and  the  death  of  his  grandchildren,  hast- 
e  led  the  final  result  of  his  own  death,  it  was  the  excite- 
ment of  a  discussion  held  the  day  but  one  preceding  his 

*  Dr.  Brainerd's  daugViter  died  on  the  1st  of  November,  1868,  a  little 
more  than  two  years  after  these  events,  leaving  a  little  boy  twenty-one 
moutlis  old. 

31* 


362    LIFE   OF  REV.  THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

death,  with  a  prominent  Old  School  clergyman  on  the  re- 
union of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

From  the  time  of  his  appointment  as  Chairman  of  the 
Committee  on  "Reunion,"  Dr.  Brainerd  inquired  the  opin- 
ion of  all  the  clerg-ymen  he  met,  of  both  branches,  '-feeling 
the  pulse  of  the  churches,"  as  he  expressed  it,  in  regard  to 
this  measure. 

In  reply  to  Dr.  Braincrd's  inquiry,  the  person  addressed 
expressed  the  most  decided  opposition  to  reunion,  and  com- 
menced at  once  to  give  his  reasons  by  bringing  up  against 
the  New  School  all  the  obsolete  charges  which  had  been 
disproved  and  exploded  long  ago,  and  which  amazed  Mr. 
Brainerd  to  find  brought  forward  again  at  this  late  day. 

While  he  believed,  with  Dean  Swift,  that  "  it  is  impos- 
sible to  remove  by  reason  prejudices  which  were  never 
founded  in  reason,"  yet  he  replied  to  these  objections  point 
by  point,  going  over  the  whole  ground,  and  proving  to 
any  fair,  unprejudiced  mind  the  utter  groundlessness  of 
the  charges  preferred  against  the  New  School  brethren. 

Dr.  Brainerd  talked  earnestly,  under  great  excitement, 
as  he  always  did  where  his  heart  was  concerned;  but  per- 
ceiving, by  a  final  remark  of  his  opponent,  that  his  state- 
ments had  made  no  impression,  he  closed  the  conversation 
by  saying,  "It  requires  all  my  charity  for  you  as  Chris- 
tian men  to  believe  that  you  have  the  slightest  conviction 
yourselves  of  the  unsoundness  of  the  other  branch  of  the 
church.^'' 

It  will  surprise  no  one  to  learn  that  this  man  was  one 
of  the  very  few  who  to  the  last  stoutly  opposed  reunion, 
with  as  little  sympathy  from  the  good  men  of  his  own 
division  as  from  those  of  the  other  side. 

This  conversation  was  not  a  private  one;  the  parties 
met,  accidentally,  in  a  place  of  public  resort.  Dr.  Hickok, 
of  Scranton,  accompanied  his  friend  ;  and  Rev.  A.  L. 
Clark,  of  Hyde  Park,  was  with  Dr.  Brainerd.     Mr.  Clark 


UNEXPECTED   PRESENCE   OF  HIS  SON.  3G3 

said  he  never  heard  a  case  so  ably  handled  in  his  iife,  and 
he  would  not  have  missed  hearing  the  discussion  for  any 
consideration. 

Dr.  Brainerd  returned  to  his  daughter's  house,  and  re- 
lated this  occurrence  with  a  face  still  flushed  by  the  excite- 
ment of  the  discussion.  After  dinner  his  family  noticed 
that  he  became  unusually  pale,  so  that  his  daughter  said, 
anxiously,  "  I  am  afraid  that  discussion  has  hurt  father ;  I 
never  saw  him  so  pale  before."  We  always  believed  it 
had  its  influence  in  the  sad  termination  of  the  following 
day.  But  he  fell  at  his  post,  standing,  as  he  had  ever 
done,  by  his  friends  and  his  principles. 

Among  the  many  providences  which  marked  this  fearful 
interval,  none  was  more  striking  than  the  unexpected  pres- 
ence of  Dr.  Brainerd's  son.  After  remaining  twelve  days 
at  Scranton,  he  was  expecting  to  return  to  Saugerties  on 
the  23d  of  August,  the  day  after  his  father's  death,  when 
that  event  changed  the  purposes  of  the  whole  family. 

A  journey  to  Quebec  had  been  proposed  by  Mr.  -Boies, 
in  the  hope  of  rousing  and  diverting  the  mind  of  his 
wife  from  her  overwhelming  sorrow,  and  Dr.  Brainerd 
was  urged  to  accompany  them  ;  but  he  said  to  his  Avife, 
"/  would  rather  go  homeP^     And  he  was  permitted  to 

"GO  HOME." 

The  resignation  of  his  position  in  the  army  left  Dr. 
Brainerd's  son  free  to  attend  to  the  trying  duties  which 
followed  upon  his  father's  death  ;  to  superintend  the  sale 
of  the  house,  furniture,  and  library,  forced  immediately 
upon  his  attention  by  the  necessities  of  the  case,  for  the 
whole  income  was  at  once  suspended  with  the  life  of  the 
incumbent. 

AVe  prefer  to  give  the  incidents  of  Dr.  Brainerd's  funeral 
from  the  notices  of  the  press,  supplying  such  facts  as  were 
unknown  to  the  public.  One  of  these  was  the  deep  feeling 
manifested  by  the  colored  people  in  the  neighborhood,  who 


3G4        LIFE   OF  REV.  THOMAS  BRAIN-ERD,  D.D. 

closed  their  houses  on  the  day  of  the  funeral,  many  of 
tliem  bowing  their  window-blinds  with  crape. 

Another  most  grateful  tribute  of  respect  was  the  request 
from  the  vestry  of  St.  Peter's  Episcopal  Church,  in  the 
square  below  Pine  Street  Church,  to  be  allowed  to  toll 
the  bell  of  their  church,  as  a  token  of  their  interest  in  this 
sad  event. 

It  was  the  season  when  most  of  the  clergymen  of  Phil- 
adelphia were  absent  on  their  summer  excursions.  Many 
of  them  returned  for  this  service,  where  the  distance  and 
time  permitted,  and  about  sixty  were  present  at  the  obse- 
quies of  their  friend  and  brother. 

The  Funeral  of  Dr.  Brainerd. 

[From  the  American  Presbyterian.'] 

"  The  services  of  this  saddest  of  all  occasions  to  a  vast 
multitude  of  the  Christian  people  and  ministry  of  the  city, 
took  *iDlace  on  Saturday  afternoon,  at  four  o'clock,  in  the 
Old  Pine  Street  Church,  and  were  managed  with  great 
propriety  and  solemn  effect.  The  church  had  been  heavily 
draped,  the  pulpit  with  its  fixtures,  Bible  and  hymn  book 
being  completely  veiled  in  mourning  for  its  now  ever-to- 
be  absent  pastor.  The  windows  were  darkened,  and  a 
subdued  artificial  light  shone  upon  the  sad  scene.  The 
bell  of  St.  Peter's  (Protestant  Episcopal)  Church  was  toll- 
ing, and  the  organ  was  playing  a  low  dirge,  when,  pre- 
cisely at  four  o'clock,  the  clergy  of  all  denominations  and 
the  elders  and  trustees  of  the  church  entered  the  building, 
followed  by  the  corpse  and  the  bereaved  family.  The 
organ  played  the  Dead  Ifarch  in  Saul  while  the  prelimi- 
nary arrangements  were  being  made.  All  the  invited 
persons  having  found  seats,  the  public  generally  were 
admitted,  and,  in  a  moment  almost,  the  building  was 
crammed  to  its  utmost  capacity.     Many  had  already  been 


INCIDENTS   OF  THE  FUNERAL.  365 

waiting  for  hours  in  the  gallery.  The  presence  of  police- 
men was  necessary,  not  to  quell  disturbance,  but  to  enforce 
arrangements  necessary  for  comfort. 

"Among  the  ministers  present,  besides  those  of  our  own 
denomination,  were  Drs.  Bomberger,  Cooper,  Pale,  Church, 
Crawford,  and  many  others  in  this  city;  Rev.  Dr.  De  Witt, 
of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church,  New  York  ;  Dr.  Backus, 
of  Baltimore,  and  President  Cattell,  of  Easton.  Notwith- 
standing the  season,  one  of  the  largest  gatherings  of 
clergymen  that  has  been  seen  for  some  time  in  our  city 
assembled  to  do  honor  to  a  member  of  their  body  so 
widely  reverenced  and  esteemed. 

"  The  choir  introduced  the  services  by  singing,  with 
very  great  taste,  skill,  and  feeling,  '  Vital  spark  of 
heavenly  flame.'  The  concluding  passages  commencing, 
'  Lend,  lend  your  wings,'  were  grandly  done,  and  were 
full  of  inspiration  to  the  sorrowing  but  hopeful  friends  of 
the  departed.  Prayers,  hymns,  and  reading  of  Scripture 
followed,  in  which  Messrs.  Dulles,  Butler,  Crowell, 
McLeod,  Adair,  Mears,  and  Taylor  took  part ;  when 
Rev.  Albert  Barnes,  upon  whom  a  tender  interest  was 
concentrated  as  the  most  intimate  friend  of  the  deceased, 
and  as  made  most  lone  and  solitary  by  the  bereavement, 
made  the  Funeral  Address.* 

"  Mr.  Barnes'  deeply  interesting  remarks  were  delivered 
without  notes,  and  were  received  with  the  most  rapt  at- 
tention by  the  immense  congregation.  All  felt  it  a  fitting 
tribute  from  the  most  distinguished  minister  of  our  church, 
himself  on  the  borders  of  threescore  and  ten,  to  one  so 
near  to  himself  in  age,  in  true  worth,  in  eminence,  in  per- 
sonal relations  and  official  ties — one  so  worthy  of  the  best 

*  This  "address"  was  embodied  in  a  "sermon,"  and  preached  by  ap- 
pointment of  Presbytery,  a  few  weeks  later,  in  Pine  Street  Churoh.  It 
will  be  given  hereafter,  with  the  exception  of  such  portions  as  relate  to 
facts  already  recorded  in  the  biography. 


366        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

eulogy  of  Albert  Barnes.  And  bow  inexpressibly  lonely 
did  this  David,  celebrating  the  praises  of  his  Jonathan, 
appear!  How  like  a  sculptured  monolith — tall,  simple, 
majestic,  serene,  and — alone !  How  much  more  dear  to  his 
brethren,  now  since  his  and  their  Brainerd  is  gone !  Many 
a  fervent  prayer  was  doubtless  breathed  as  he  stood  there 
pouring  out  his  sympathies  in  affluent,  chaste,  and  dis- 
criminating language,  that  some  at  least  of  the  years 
denied  to  Brainerd  might  be  added  to  his  own,  and  that 
his  counsels  and  example  might  yet  be  long  spared  to 
his  brethren  prepared  now,  more  than  ever,  to  appreciate 
them. 

"After  prayer  and  singing,  the  vast  congregation  moved 
in  slow  procession  before  the  coffin,  to  take  a  last  look  of 
the  beloved  clay.  The  body  was  dressed  in  a  plain  suit 
of  black.  A  superb  bouquet  and  wreath  of  natural  flowers 
lay  at  its  feet.  The  features  were  natural,  and  wore  that 
placid  expression  which  it  is  so  pleasant  to  carry  as  a  last 
remembrance  of  a  beloved  form.  Some  of  the  congrega- 
tion touched  the  brow  or  cheek  with  their  hands;  some 
stooped  to  kiss  the  now  sealed  lips.  It  took  three-quarters 
of  an  hour  for  the  performance  of  this  last  act  of  respect, 
and  then  they  closed  up  the  face  forever  from  mortal  sight 
and  laid  the  body  in  its  earthly  resting-place  in  the  ceme- 
tery adjoining  the  church,  by  the  side  of  the  dust  of  his 
two  children,  Mr.  Barnes  performing  the  closing  services 

at  his  grave." 

[From  the  NortJi,  American.^ 

"  There  was  a  sad  gathering  on  Saturday  afternoon, 
when  in  the  grave-yard  of  Old  Pine  Street  Church,  almost 
on  a  line  with  its  pulpit,  were  laid  the  remains  of  its  late 
pastor,  Rev.  Dr.  Thomas  Brainerd.  A  few  weeks  ago  the 
good  man  in  person  was  pointing  out  to  the  writer  the 
most  aged  monuments  in  the  yard,  and  giving  him  their 
historv.     In  that  little  citv  of  the  dead  lie  side  bv  side 


INCIDENTS   OF  THE  FUNERAL.  367 

men  who  had  crossed  swords  in  the  war  of  the  Revolu- 
tion. British  and  American  sleeping-  together  ;  and  among- 
them,  resting  from  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century  of 
labor  in  Old  Pine  Street  Church,  was  laid  on  Saturday,  as 
we  have  already  said,  the  remains  of  one  of  the  most 
faithful  and  beloved  ministers  in  the  American  pulpit. 

"  The  concourse  of  people  gathered  to  participate  in  the 
solemn  ceremonies  exceeded  by  hundreds  the  capacity  of 
the  church  in  which  they  were  held  The  Union  League, 
of  which  the  deceased  was  a  member  at  the  time  of  his 
death,  attended  the  funeral  in  a  body,  marching  from  the 
residence  in  Pine  Street  to  the  church-yard  at  Fourth  and 
Pine,  where  the  dust  of  the  departed  pastor  was  deposited. 
The  members  of  the  Pennsylvania  Historical  Society,  the 
Yolunteer  Refreshment  Saloon's  Committee,  and  a  very 
large  number  of  clergymen  of  all  denominations,  followed 
the  coffin  to  its  place  of  deposit.  The  congregation  of 
Old  Pine  Street  Churcli  evinced  even  by  tears  how  deeply 
they  felt  their  bereavement  in  the  loss  of  their  pastor. 
Never  have  we  seen  the  funeral  of  a  clergyman  at  which 
there  seemed  to  be  present  a  greater  number  of  heavy 
hearts. 

"  The  church  windows  on  the  occasion  were  closed,  and 
the  rites  were  performed  by  gasdight.  The  pall-bearers 
were  the  trustees  of  the  church,  including  Hugh  Steven- 
son, J.  D.  Maguire,  John  Moore,  S.  T  Y.  R.  Scott,  Sam- 
uel Hilt,  and  Ezra  Calhoun,  and  more  than  fifty  clergymen 
were  among  the  chief  mourners. 

"  The  church  was  draped  in  black.  The  coffin  was 
placed  in  front  of  the  pulpit  and  the  remains  exposed  to 
view.  The  choir  then  sang  the  anthem,  'Vital  spark  of 
heavenly  flame.'  Rev.  Dr.  Dulles  followed  in  thanks  for 
the  just  record  of  the  departed,  and  in  prayer  that  his  ex- 
ample and  precept  might  not  be  forgotten  by  his  brethren 
who  survive  him. 


368        LIFE   OF  REV.  THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

"  Rev.  Dr.  Butler,  of  West  Philadelphia,  announced  the 
hymn,  '  Come  ye  disconsolate,'  which  was  feelingly  sung. 
Prayer  by  Rev.  Robert  Adair  came  next,  and  another 
hymn  was  sung. 

"  Rev.  Albert  Barnes,  pastor  of  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church,  now  addressed  the  assemblage,  whose  attention 
was  alike  tearful  and  unbroken.  It  was  an  eloquent  and 
beautiful  eulogy  upon  the  deceased,  and  a  touching  exhor- 
tation to  the  assemblage  to  cultivate  his  many  virtues. 
After  another  hymn,  beginning 

"'  Hear  what  the  voice  from  Heaven  proclaims 
For  all  the  pious  dead,' 

Rev.  Mr.  Adair  invited  all  present  to  pass  in  line  by  the 
coEBn,  to  take  a  last  look  at  the  lips  that  so  often  had 
spoken  to  them  of  the  way  to  the  heaven  to  which  he  had 
gone  before  them.  To  do  this  required  a  long  space  of 
time  The  immense  throng  filed  slowly  through  the 
church,  and  many  a  tear  fell  upon  the  calm,  cold  forehead 
of  the  departed  shepherd.  The  remains  were  laid,  as 
we  have  said,  in  the  Brainerd  family  lot  adjoining  the 
church." 

All  of  the  city  papers  published  notices  of  the  funeral, 
with  little  variation,  giving  abstracts  of  Mr.  Barnes'  ad- 
dress.    The  Evening  Bulletin  says: 

"Rev.  Thomas  Brainerd,  D.D.,  has  for  nearly  a  third 
of  a  century  been  pastor  of  the  Pine  Street  Presbyterian 
Church,  and  long  been  known  as  one  of  the  most  eloquent, 
patriotic,  warm-hearted,  and,  in  his  pastoral  sphere,  one  of 
the  most  useful  clergymen  who  has  ever  lived  in  Philadel- 
phia. His  nature  was  of  the  kindliest  character,  and  he 
was  loved  by  all  who  came  in  contact  with  him,  either  in 
his  pastoral  relations  or  in  his  social  movements,  or  in  the 
performance  of  his  duties  as  a  citizen  and  a  patriot. 


IXCIDEXTS   OF  THE  FUNERAL.  8(19 

"  The  death  of  Dr.  Braincrd  will  be  long  felt  cand  deeply- 
lamented,  and  by  none  more  than  the  residents  of  the 
southern  section  of  the  city,  among  whom  he  '  went  about 
doing  good'  unceasingly  year  after  year.  As  a  loyal  citi- 
zen, whose  prayers  and  efforts  w^ere  put  forth  on  behalf  of 
the  Republic,  he  will  also  be  nobly  remembered  ;  and  in 
every  way  in  which  a  man  can  have  respect  paid  his 
memory,  the  Rev.  Thomas  Brainerd,  D.D.,  will  be  so  hon- 
ored." 

[From  the  Public  Ledger.] 

"  But  few  congregations  in  this  city  have  been  so  free 
from  changes  in  its  pastors  as  old  Pine  Street  Presbyte- 
rian Church.  The  ministrations  of  two  of  its  pastors 
bridge  over  the  whole  of  the  last  fifty  years,  the  last  thirty 
of  which  were  under  Dr.  Braiaerd.  Both  in  and  outside 
of  his  own  denomination.  Dr.  Brainerd  was  a  man  of 
mark.  He  was  almost  universally  known  and  quite  as 
universally  esteemed,  as  an  able  and  faithful  minister  and 
a  good  man.         ******* 

"Dr.  Braiuerd's  fame  as  a  minister  rests  mainly  on  his 
rare  gifts  as  a  fervid  and  most  eloquent  preacher.  But 
he  was  an  accomplished  man  in  other  respects  than  as  an 
orator.  The  few  productions  of  his  pen  that  he  gave  to  the 
world  show  that,  had  he  chosen  general  literature  as  his 
profession,  he  would  have  arrived  at  eminence  there  as 
readily  as  in  the  church.  He  was  very  successful  as  an 
editor,  but  we  rest  our  judgment  of  his  ability  and  talents 
as  a  writer  upon  his  '  Life  of  John  Brainerd,'  his  kinsman. 
Here  he  took  up  the  biography  of  an  almost  unknown 
good  man — one  whose  light  was  eclipsed  by  the  greater 
brilliancy  of  an  illustrious  brother — and  by  the  gifts  and 
graces  which  he  possessed  in  so  eminent  a  degree,  he 
made  one  of  the  most  charming  books  in  the  range  of  re- 
ligious biography.     The  clear  and  beautiful  style  of  the 


370        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

narrative,  and  the  skill  with  which  the  subject  is  handled, 
show  that  Dr.  Brainerd  was  a  master  with  his  pen,  as  he 
was  of  effective  oratory  in  the  pulpit.  Dr.  Brainerd  was 
born  in  1804,  and  died  at  the  age  of  sixty-two,  struck  down 
by  apoplexy — that  enemy  of  all  men  who  toil  with  their 
brains." 

The  Inquirer,  the  Press,  the  Evening  Telegraph,  City 
Item,  and  other  papers,  contained  similar  notices,  all 
marked  by  deep  feeling  and  true  re.spect.  In  one  of  them 
it  was  said,  "The  sudden  death  of  Dr.  Brainerd  has 
striken  the  city  with  gloom  and  grief." 

Two  papers  edited  and  sustained  by  the  colored  people 
added  their  testimony  of  affectionate  regard  on  this  oc- 
casion. 

Zioyi^s  Standard,  published  in  New  York,  quotes  from 
the  Philadelphia  paper  the  following  notice  : 

"  Died,  in  Scranton,  Pa.,  the  Rev.  Thomas  Brainerd, 
pastor  of  the  Old  Pine  Street  Church,  Philadelphia.  His 
funeral  created  quite  an  excitement  among  us  as  a  people. 
None  knew  him  but  to  love  him.  He  was  a  Christian  and 
a  gentleman,  and  in  token  of  respect  to  this  good  man  we 
find  our  people  closing  their  places  of  business  in  the 
neighborhood — the  Recorder  office  and  others. 

"Among  the  large  concourse  of  ministers  we  find  Rev. 
John  B.  Reeve,  pastor  of  the  Central  Presbyterian  Church, 
and  Rev.  James  Adams,  missionary  to  Africa." 

The  Christian  Recorder,  published  by  the  African 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  Philadelphia,  after  noticing 
the  death  of  Dr.  Brainerd,  adds,  "  We  have  always  re- 
garded him  as  a  strong  advocate  of  that  pure  religion  that 
makes  men  better,  and  that  untrammeled  liberty  which 
helps  on  their  development.  He  lived  opposite  to  our 
office,  having  resided  on  Pine  Street  for  many  years,  and 


INCIDENTS   OF  THE  FUNERAL.  ^ll 

many  friendly  calls  he  made  us,  not  to  gratify  curiosity, 
but  to  speak  a  word  of  cheer,  advice,  and  comfort.  Every 
improvement  that  marked  the  career  of  our  Book  Concern, 
was  hailed  by  him  with  expressions  of  delight.  The  Old 
Pine  Street  Church,  with  its  large  congregation,  will  feel 
the  loss  of  one  who,  for  thirty  years,  has  stood  as  their  un- 
sullied spiritual  overseer  and  clear-headed  instructor.  He 
liced  to  make  the  world  belter,  and  succeeded." 


CHAPTER    XVII 

PUBLIC   AND   PRIVATE    TRIBUTES. 

ACTION  OF  COPvPOKATE  ASSOCIATIONS. 

IN  regard  to  the  summary  of  public  notices  which  follow, 
we  would  only  say  that  the  personal  and  family  friends 
of  Dr.  Brainerd,  for  Avhoni  the  book  is  chiefly  designed, 
will  gratefully  approve  of  their  preservation  in  this  perma- 
nent connection. 

"At  a  meeting  of  the  Session  of  Pine  Street  Church, 
held  on  the  29th  August,  1866,  the  following  resolutions 
M-ere  adopted  in  relation  to  the  death  of  our  beloved  pastor, 
Rev.  Thomas  Brainerd,  D.  D.: 

"  Whereas,  In  view  of  the  recent  afflictive  dispensation 
of  divine  Providence,  by  which  this  church  is  bereaved  of 
an  honored,  faithful,  and  efficient  pastor,  therefore 

"  Beaolved,  That  we  hereby  place  upon  the  records  of 
this  church  our  testimony  to  the  fervent  piety,  the  untiring 
and  active  zeal,  the  self-sacrificing  spirit,  the  anxious  and 
constant  watchfulness,  in  season  and  out  of  season,  in 
health  or  in  sickness,  for  the  prosperity  of  tliis  church  and 
congregation. 

"  Hesolved,  That  whatever  measure  of  prosperity  we 
now  enjoy,  in  our  temporal  or  spiritual  condition,  is,  under 
God,  mainly  due  to  his  wisdom  in  devising,  and  his  energy 
and  perseverance  in  carrying  out  any  work  necessary  to 
tlie  ]>iirity  and  enlargement  of  the  church. 

"Resolved,  That  our  thanks  are  pre-eminently  due  to 
(372) 


PUnrJC  AXD   PRIVATE   TRIBUTES.  373 

Almighty  God,  for  the  prevailing'  spirit  of  unity,  brotherly 
kindness,  and  harmony  of  action  which,  for  a  period  of 
thirty  years,  has  characterized  the  relations  existing  be- 
tween the  pastor  and  the  elders,  in  all  their  social  and 
ecclesiastical  intercourse. 

"  Besolved,  That  we  deeply  sympathize  with  the  family 
of  Dr.  Brainerd  in  their  severe  affliction,  and  our  prayer 
is,  that  the  rich  promises  of  the  gospel  may  be  made  mani- 
fest in  their  consolation ;  that  God  will  be  a  father  to  the 
fatherless  and  the  God  of  the  widow ;  dealing  gently  with 
them  in  this  life,  and  finally  gathering  them,  an  unbroken 
family,  into  that  kingdom  where  sorrow  and  death  shall 
never  enter. 

"John  C.  Farr, 
"  Samuel  Work, 
"  George  Young, 
"  William  Ivens, 
"James  Fraiskr, 
"Elders  of  Fine  Street  Church. ^^ 

At  the  monthly  concert  of  prayer  held  on  the  17th  of 
September,  1866,  by  the  teachers  of  the  Sabbath-sceiool 
of  Old  Pine  Street  Church,  a  letter  was  addressed  to  Mrs. 
Brainerd,  as  the  expression  of  their  united  and  hearty 
sympathy  with  the  family  of  their  deceased  pastor,  adding, 
*  And  we  feel  that  in  the  death  of  Dr.  Brainerd  we  each 
have  lost  a  personal  friend,  and  as  teachers  all  have  lost 
one  who  was  always  first  with  us  in  counsel  and  effort  for 
the  prosperity  of  our  school. 

"  In  behalf  of  the  officers  and  teachers  of  Old  Pine  Street 
Church  Sabbath-school. 

"  L.  M.  Wiiilldin,  Superintendent. 

"  William  McIxtire,  Secretary.''^ 

32* 


374        LIFE  OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

Extract  from  the  Minutes  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  Pine  Street 
Church,  Septemher  4th,  1866. 

[Prepared  by  Randolph  Sailer,  Esq.] 

"Besolved,  That  this  Board  has  received  the  startling 
announcement  of  the  death  of  Dr.  Braincrd  with  a  grief 
which  is  too  profound  for  expression  in  mere  words.  Its 
members  share  with  the  whole  of  Pine  Street  Church  and 
congregation  in  a  feeling  of  personal  bereavement;  and 
while  they  join  in  the  testimony  which  is  borne  by  the 
community  and  b}"  the  church  to  the  inestimable  worth  of 
our  departed  pastor,  and  share  fully  in  the  sense  of  loss 
which  is  so  universally  expressed  by  the  press  and  the 
pulpit,  it  belongs  especially  to  us  to  record  the  impressions 
which  have  been  so  deeply  made  in  his  intercourse  with 
this  Board. 

"We  bear  heartfelt  testimony  to  his  absorbing  and  un- 
flagging interest  in  the  welfare  and  prosperity  of  Pine 
Street  Church,  and  to  his  intelligent  and  untiring  exertions 
for  the  accomplishment  of  the  highest  good  in  and  through 
her. 

"  We  record  our  thankfulness  that  the  unequaled  influ- 
ence which  he  possessed  over  the  people  of  his  charge  was 
always  exerted  with  a  lofty  and  conscientious  regard  for 
their  highest  prosperit}^  and  that  his  talents  and  eloquence 
were  always  manfully  used  in  the  cause  of  humanity,  of 
justice,  and  of  bold  and  uncompromising  patriotism. 

"  His  sudden  departure  has  left  a  void  in  the  affections 
of  his  people  which  can  never  be  tilled  ;  and  our  sad  privi- 
lege now  is  only  to  bear  witness  to  his  virtues  and  emu- 
late his  bright  example. 

"  S.  TusTON  Eldridge, 

"Secrela7y  of  the  Boards 


PUBLIC  AND   PRIVATE   TRIBUTES.  375 

Pastoral  Association. 

"At  the  meeting-  of  the  Pastoral  Association  of  Philadel- 
phia, held  September  3d,  18G6,  being  the  first  meeting  after 
the  summer  recess,  Messrs.  Adair  and  Brown  were  ap- 
pointed to  prepare  a  paper  in  relation  to  the  death  of  Rev. 
Thomas  Brainerd,  D.  D.  At  the  subsequent  meeting  the 
following  paper  was  presented  and  adopted  unanimously: 

"As  an  Association,  we  cannot  satisfy  the  prompting  of 
our  hearts  in  view  of  our  recent  bereavement,  without 
})lacing  on  record  this  tribute  to  the  memory  of  our  de- 
ceased fellow-member  and  beloved  brother,  the  Rev. 
Thomas  Brainerd,  D.D.  The  position  he  held  as  one  of 
the  oldest  and  wisest  members  of  our  Association,  as  well 
as  his  distinguished  standing  as  a  minister  of  our  denomi- 
nation in  this  city  and  throughout  our  country,  renders 
such  a  memento  most  fitting. 

"  In  the  sudden  and  unexpected  death  of  our  brother, 
endeared  to  us  by  many  pleasant  recollections,  we  rever- 
ently recognize  the  hand  of  God.  Though  by  this  dispen- 
sation our  denomination,  and  the  church  at  large  has  sus- 
tained a  heavy  loss,  we  desire  to  acquiesce  in  this  event, 
knoAvingthat  God  doeth  all  things  well,  and  being  assured 
that  our  friend  has  been  called  from  his  earthly  toils  to  his 
everlasting  rest. 

"As  an  Association  Ave  regarded  the  intellectual  endow- 
ments of  our  departed  brother  of  a  very  high  order.  In 
the  discussion  of  subjects  before  our  Association,  he  often 
displayed  commanding  powers  of  mind.  His  perceptions 
were  quick,  his  powers  of  discrimination  acute  and  philo- 
sophic ;  his  diction  chaste  and  forcible,  his  illustrations  apt, 
and  the  wit  and  pleasantry  with  which  he  interspersed  his 
remarks,  made  his  impromptu  remarks  on  these  occasions 
exceedingly  instructive  and  entertaining. 
.    "But  we  not  only  admired  his  talents.     We  loved  him 


376        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,   D.D. 

for  his  social  and  moral  qualities.  He  had  a  warm  heart, 
as  well  as  a  clear  head.  He  was  fraternal  and  genial  in  his 
intercourse  with  his  brethren.  He  was  tender  and  sympa- 
thizing when  they  were  in  affliction  or  in  necessity.  His 
attendance  at  our  Association  on  Monday  mornings,  after 
the  exhausting  labors  of  the  Sabbath,  seemed  to  be  to  him 
a  pleasure  and  a  recreation  ;  and  no  one's  person  was 
more  welcomed  than  his,  as  he  seldom  failed  to  contribute 
largely  to  the  interest  of  its  discussions.  In  his  removal, 
we  sincerely  and  deeply  deplore  our  loss,  a  loss  which  we 
cannot  hope  will  ever  be  repaired. 

"As  an  Association  we  very  tenderly  sympathize  with 
the  wife  and  children  of  our  deceased  brother,  and  we  earn- 
estly pray  that  the  consolations  administered  by  him,  in 
his  parochial  duties,  to  bereaved  mourners,  may  be  richly 
experienced  by  them  in  this  the  time  of  their  triljulation." 

Fourth  Presbytery  on  the  Death  of  Dr.  Brainerd. 

[This  minute,  put  upon  the  records  of  the  Fourth  Pres- 
bytery at  its  last  stated  meeting,  is  understood  to  be  from 
the  pen  of  Kev.  Albert  Barnes.] 

"  The  Presbytery  enters  on  its  records,  with  profound 
sorrow,  the  death  of  one  of  its  oldest  and  most  useful 
members,  the  Rev.  Thomas  Brainerd,  D.D.  Dr.  Brainerd 
was,  except  one,  the  oldest  member  of  the  Presbytery, 
having  been  connected  with  it  for  thirty  years,  and  in  all 
that  long  period  thoroughly  identified  with  all  its  interests, 
true  to  its  principles',  and  true  to  the  denomination  with 
which  we  are  connected.  He  has  participated  with  us  in 
all  our  struggles,  and  has  contributed  largely  to  our  strength 
and  growth  as  a  Presbytery.  In  very  many  of  the  churches 
now  constituting  this  Presbytery,  he  has  been  present  and 
aided  at  the  laying  of  the  corner-stone,  at  the  dedication, 
at  the  ordination  and  installation  of  the  pastors;  and  very 
manvofour  feeble  churches  he  has  aided  bv  his  counsels,  and 


PUBLIC  AND   PRIVATE   TRIBUTES.  31 1 

by  collections  in  the  clnirch  of  which  he  was  pastor,  in 
times  of  pecuniary  embarrassment.  More  than  one  church 
in  our  Presbytery  and  denomination  owes  its  origin  and  its 
establishment  to  his  sagacity  and  to  his  personal  efforts. 
To  his  personal  efforts,  as  much  as  to  those  of  any  other 
man,  the  Green  Hill  Church  and  the  Calvary  Church  owe 
their  origin  ;  by  his  efforts,  more  than  by  those  of  any  other 
man.  the  Clinton  Street  Church  and  the  German  Street 
Church  have  been  saved  to  our  denomination  ;  and  one  of 
his  last  efforts  was  the  erection  of  a  new  edifice,  through 
his  own  congregation,  for  a  Sabbath-school,  with  an  ulti- 
mate reference  to  the  establishment  of  a  church. 

"  The  Presbytery  deeply  mourn  his  loss  as  a  member  of 
their  body.  They  feel  deeply  the  want  of  his  presence,  his 
counsel,  and  his  animating  voice.  They  feel  that  influence 
and  experience  have  been  withdrawn  from  them  by  his 
sudden  death,  of  great  value  to  them,  to  the  churches,  and 
to  the  cause  of  religion.  But  while  they  thus  mourn,  they 
would  record  with  much  gratitude,  the  goodness  of  God 
in  granting  to  them  and  to  the  churches,  for  so  long  a 
time,  such  a  man — a  man  endowed  with  such  rare  and 
excellent  gifts ;  a  man  so  eloquent,  so  zealous,  so  true ; 
a  man  so  kind  and  genial  in  hfs  disposition  ;  a  man  so 
wise,  so  prudent,  so  faithful.  That  he  has,  for  so  long  a 
time,  given  to  one  of  our  churches  a  pastor  so  faithful,  so 
much  beloved,  and  so  useful;  that  he  has  given  to  our 
city  one  so  well  qualified  to  defend  the  interests  of  truth, 
and  one  so  devoted  to  the  cause  of  temperance  and  phi- 
lanthropy; that  he  has  preserved  among  us,  through  the 
fearful  strife  of  a  four  years'  war,  one  who  was  a  true  pa- 
triot, who  was  a  self-denying  friend  of  the  soldier,  both  in 
going  to  the  field  of  strife  and  in  returning  from  it ;  sym- 
pathizing with  the  w^ounded,  and  comforting  the  sick  and 
the  dying;  that  he  has  made  him  the  instrument  of  convert- 
ing so  many  souls,  and  that  he  has  given  to  us,  as  members 
of  the  Presbytery,  such  an  example,  and  such  a  friend." 


378        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRATNERD,  D.D. 

Synod  of  Pennsylvania. 

The  annual  meeting  of  the  Synod  was  held  in  Carlisle, 
Ta.,  on  the  16th  October,  1866. 

In  the  Report  it  was  said:  "In  every  exercise,  no  one 
could  forget  that  one  voice  which  for  thii'ty  years  had  been 
heard  in  cheerful  and  wise  counsels,  was  now  forever  silent. 
The  manly  form  of  Dr.  Brainerd,  seldom  absent  at  our 
nieetings,  was  now  missed  at  every  step.  The  older  mem- 
bers felt  this  absence  most  intensely,  and  yet  nothing  about 
the  memory  of  such  a  man  could  be  shaded  with  a  deep  sad- 
ness. His  whole  personal  and  official  life  was  cheery  and 
bright.  His  prevailing  tone  of  discourse  was  hopeful  and 
encouraging.  That  pei^sonal  life  was  still  felt  in  its  pecu- 
liar character  upon  our  spirits,  and  forbade  us  to  despond 
or  falter.  One  there  was  who,  though  in  many  respects 
unlike  him  in  temperament,  appears  to  have  been  peculiarly 
intimate  in  friendsliip  with  him,  who  still  remained  with 
us,  and  who  seemed  more  than  others  to  dwell  upon  his 
memory.  As  Brother  Barnes  occupied  a  few  moments 
near  the  close  of  our  meeting  in  recounting  some  of  his 
characteristic  and  last  suggestions,  and  added  to  these  his 
own  solemn,  sincere,  and'  thoughtful  admonitions  to  minis- 
terial and  Christian  diligence,  however  dissatisfied  we 
might  be  with  our  own  performances,  every  one  must 
have  been  resolved  to  do  with  his  might  what  his  hands 

find  to  do. 

"C.  P.  Wing." 

The  General  Assembly  of  1867. 

The  sermon  of  the  retiring  Moderator,  Rev.  S.  M. 
Hopkins,  D.D.,  closes  with  this  admonition  : 

"Final]\^  my  brethren,  the  time  is  short.  Events  which 
have  occurred  since  the  last  meeting  of  this  General  As- 
semblv,  admonish   us  that  if  we  wish  to  see  the  church 


rUBLIO  AND   PRIVATE    TRIBUTES.  379 

united  and  our  land  redeemed,  we  must  be  up  and  doing. 
The  Lord,  who  spared  long  his  sincere  but  misjudging 
servants,  the  responsible  authors  of  the  schism,  that  they 
might  eat  the  fruit  of  their  own  rash  sowing,  has  taken 
away — in  the  one  case  by  death,  and  in  the  other  by  pros- 
trating disease — the  two  honored  hrelhren  whom  we  put 
forward  to  guide  our  steps  toward  the  goal  of  reunion. 
We  mourn,  at  such  a  time  as  this,  the  loss  of  those  bright 
intellects,  those  warm  hearts,  those  genial  and  conciliating 
manners,  that  could  have  efifected  so  much  in  smoothing 
for  us  the  way  of  peace." 

The  Preachers'  Meeting  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 

in  this  city  forwarded  to  the  Pastoral  Association,  of 
which  Dr.  Brainerd  was  a  member,  the  following  resolu- 
tions of  sympathy : 

"Whereas,  The  Preachers'  Meeting  of  Philadelphia 
M.  E.  Church  has  heard  Avith  profound  regret  of  the  death 
of  Dr.  Thomas  Brainerd,  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and 

"  Whereas,  His  spirit  was  so  truly  catholic,  and  his  use- 
fulness so  general,  not  being  confined  to  his  own  pastoral 
charge,  contrary  to  our  usual  custom  we  deem  it  fitting  to 
pay  special  honor  to  the  memory  of  one  not  of  our  denomi- 
national ranks;  therefore 

"Resolved,  That  in  the  sudden  death  of  Rev.  Dr.  Brai- 
nerd we  are  forcibly  reminded  of  the  uncertainty  of  life, 
and  of  the  importance  of  being  also  ready. 

"Resolved,  That  we  praise  the  great  Head  of  the  Church 
for  the  gifts,  grace,  and  usefulness  which  distinguished  our 
departed  and  now  sainted  brother  in  so  eminent  a  degree. 

"Resolved,  That  we  cherish  the  memory  of  his  eloquence 
and  devotion  as  a  minister  of  Christ,  his  simplicity  and 
sincerity  as  a  catholic  Christian,  and  his  devoted  loyalty 
and  patriotism  as  a  citizen. 


380        LIFE    OF  REV.  THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

''Resolved,  That  we  most  affectionately  sympathize  with 
his  bereaved  family,  and  with  his  church,  which  has  lost 
a  shepherd  whose  voice  they  have  heard  for  thirty  years 
past,  and  pray  that  God  may  be  with  them  in  this  great 
sorrow. 

"0.  W.  Landreth,  Secretary  p?^o  teni." 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Trustees  of  the  Presbyterian 
House,  held  in  the  House,  December  5th,  1866, 

"The  death  of  the  Rev.  Thomas  Brainerd,  D.D.,  a 
Trustee  of  the  House,  was  announced ;  whereupon  it 
was 

"Mesolved,  That  the  Trustees  record  with  profound  sor- 
row their  sense  of  the  loss  thus  sustained  to  themselves, 
to  the  denomination,  and  to  the  church  at  large.  They 
deplore  the  removal  from  themselves  of  a  wise  and  trusted 
counselor;  from  the  denomination  of  an  eloquent  preacher 
and  efficient  pastor;  from  the  church  at  large  of  an  earnest 
and  exemplary  Christian.  They  recognize  in  the  death  of 
their  late  associate  the  monitory  exhortation  'to  do  with 
their  might  what  their  hands  find  to  do.' 

"  [A  true  extract  from  the  minutes.] 

"  Thomas  J.  Shepherd, 

"Secretary.''^ 

Union  Volunteer  Refreshment  Committee. 

"  At  a  meeting  of  the  Union  Yolunteer  Refreshment 
Committee,  held  August  23d,  1866,  the  following  preamble 
and  resolutions  were  offered  by  J.  W.  Hicks  and  unani- 
mously adopted : 

"Whereas,  We  have  heard  with  sincere  regret  of  the 
sudden  death  of  our  late  co-laborer.  Rev.  Thomas  Brai- 
nerd, D.D.,  who,  during  the  late  struggle  that  our  be- 
loved country  has  passed  through,  proved  himself  one  of 
the  most  zealous  and  unfaltering  patriots  in  the  land  by  his 


PUBLIC  AND  PRIVATE   TRIBUTES.  381 

efforts  to  cheer  and  refresh  our  brave  soldiers,  and  his  un- 
ceasing- ministrations  to  the  sick  and  wounded  ;  in  him  we 
recognize  a  pure-minded  Ciiristian  gentleman  and  patriot; 
therefore 

"Hesolced,  That  we  bow  in  submission  to  the  decree  of 
our  heavenly  Father,  whom  we  believe  to  be  too  wise  to 
err  and  too  good  to  be  unkind. 

"Besolued,  That  we  tender  our  heartfelt  symi)athies  to 
bis  afflicted  family. 

"Resolved,  That  we  will  attend  his  funeral  in  a  body. 

"Bemlced,  That  a  copy  of  these  resolutions  be  sent  to 
the  family  of  the  deceased,  and  published  in  the  daily 
papers  "  Akad  Barrows, 

"J.  B.  Wade,  ''Chairman. 

"Secrelary.^' 

The  Woman's  Medical  College  of  Pennsylvania, 

in  opening  its  eighteenth  annual  session,  October  16th, 
1867,  contains,  in  its  introductory  address,  the  following 
paragraph  : 

"A  grateful  tribute  is  here  due  to  the  memory  of  one 
of  the  corporators,  Thomas  Brainerd,  D.D.,  who  has  been 
removed  during  the  year  from  his  connection  with  earthly 
organizations.  Though  he  had  been  prevented  by  other 
duties  from  active  co-operation  in  the  care  of  the  college, 
he  had  maintained  a  warm  interest  in  its  success,  and'had 
given  it  many  benedictions." 


33 


382        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 


A  Discourse  on  the  Death  of  Rev.  Thomas  Brainerd,  D.D.  By  Rev. 
Albert  Barnes.  Delivered  in  the  Pine  Street  Church,  Philadelphia, 
November  25th,  1866. 

"And  man}-  of  them  that  sleep  in  the  dust  of  the  earth  shall  awnke — 
and  they  that  be  wise  shall  shine  as  the  brightness  of  the  firmament; 
and  they  that  turn  many  to  righteousness,  as  the  stars  for  ever  and  ever." 
^Daniel,  xii.  2,  3. 

"  They  shine  as  stars  here,  constituting  bright  constella- 
tions shedding  their  radiance  upon  the  earth.  They  are 
removed  at  death  to  shine  in  other  spheres  and  worlds, 
shedding  a  brighter  radiance  there.  To  human  view  they 
seem  to  become  extinct,  as  when  a  star  in  the  sky  seems 
to  burn  out,  and  to  pass  away  forever.  Those  stars  vixaij 
pass  away.  The  power  that  created  them,  and  that  made 
them  so  bright  and  beautiful,  can  as  easily  annihilate 
them  ;  and  bright,  and  beaming,  and  beautiful  as  they  are, 
they  may  have  accomplished  their  purpose,  and  may  have 
ceased  to  be.  They  are  material,  and  they  may  perish. 
But  it  is  not  so  with  mind — bright,  beaming,  illustrious 
mind.  That  does  not  die.  It  is  not  lost.  It  does  not 
cease  to  shine.  It  is  removed  to  other  worlds;  it  does 
not  die.  It  leaves  the  earth  indeed  ;  it  is  withdrawn  from 
human  view;  but  it  is  transferred  to  other  realms,  to  shine 
with  undimmed  and  increasing  luster  forever. 

"  There  is  a  difference  in  the  brightness  of  those  minds 
both  here  and  in  the  world  above,  as  there  is  a  diS'erence 
in  the  brightness  of  the  heavenly  bodies.  '  There  is  one 
glory  of  the  sun,  and  another  glory  of  the  moon,  and 
another  glory  of  the  stars;  for  one  star  dififereth  from  an- 
other star  in  glory.' — I.  Cor.  xv.  41.  Those  'stars'  that 
God  removes  from  earth  to  other  spheres,  shine  with 
different  brightness  here,  and  will  shine  with  different 
brightness  forever.  All  that  are  '  wise'  will  shine  indeed 
'  as  the  brightness  of  the  firmament' — perhaps  with  col- 
lected radiance,  like  the  Milky  "Way  in  the  heavens — but 


PUBLIC  AND   PRIVATE    TRIBUTES.  383 

thoy  tliat  '  turn  many  to  righteousness'  will  shine  with 
particular  and  brighter  luster,  as  distinguished  from 
others,  for  ever  and  ever.  All  that  are  redeemed,  all 
that,  in  their  appropriate  spheres  on  earth,  live  to  honor 
God,  and  to  do  good  to  men,  will  shine  forever;  but  the 
brightest  of  those  stars  will  be  those  who  '  turn  many  to 
righteousness.'  He  who  in  another  sphere  of  life,  if  a 
good  man,  would  have  shone  brightly  in  the  world  above; 
he  who  in  other  callings  could  have  secured  a  place  among 
those  that  shall  shine  for  ever  and  ever,  will  shine  more 
brightly  if  he  consecrates  his  life  to  the  purpose  of  turn- 
ing men  to  righteousness.  He  can  make  more  of  his  own 
life;  he  can  make  his  influence  radiate  further  over  his  own 
generation  ;  he  can  make  it  strike  onward  with  more  effect- 
iveness, into  the  interminable  future,  than  he  could  have 
done  if  his  life,  how^ever  brilliant  and  useful,  had  been 
spent  on  objects  soon  to  pass  away.  Paul,  as  a  Christian 
man,  if  he  had  employed  his  eloquence  in  defense  of  liberty 
or  violated  rights,  would  have  won  and  worn  a  bright 
crown  among  mortals,  for  Longinus  places  his  name 
among  the  great  orators  of  the  world ;  but  Paul  made 
more  of  his  talents,  and  will  wear  a  brighter  crown,  and 
will  shine  as  a  brighter  star,  from  having  employed  his 
talents  in  turning  men  to  righteousness,  than  he  could 
have  done  in  the  widest  fields  of  secular  usefulness,  am- 
bition, or  glory. 

"  The  removal  of  a  man  of  eminent  usefulness  from  our 
world  is  not  such  a  loss  to  the  universe  as  the  extinction 
of  a  bright  star  might  be,  or  as  the  extinction  of  the  soul 
would  be.  The  earth  is  but  an  atom  in  the  immensity  of 
the  vast  domain  over  which  God  presides,  and  the  widest 
sphere  of  labor  and  of  usefulness  here  is  inconceivably 
small  as  compared  with  that  vast  field  in  which  the  re- 
deemed soul  is  to  live  and  act  forever.  True,  it  is  a  loss  to 
earth,  to  friends,  to  the  cause  of  truth,  to  the  church,  to  a 


384        LIFE   OF  REV.  THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

nation  it  may  be,  as  if  the  soul  had  ceased  to  be.  The 
mind  sa3;acious  to  plan,  to  counsel,  to  execute,  is  withdrawn 
from  earth  ;  the  lips  eloquent  in  the  cause  of  truth,  are 
silent;  the  pastor  is  no  longer  in  the  pulpit,  in  the  house 
of  mourning,  or  by  the  bedside  of  the  sick.  He  who 
guided  the  young,  who  warned  the  wicked,  who  strength- 
ened the  feeble,  who  comforted  the  sorrowful,  who  ani- 
mated the  desponding,  is  seen  no  more;  he  who  brought 
the  richness  of  his  experience,  and  the  maturity  of  his 
judgment  to  the  aid  of  the  great  interests  of  truth  and 
humanity,  has  passed  away.  Influence  is  of  slow  growth, 
and  is  of  inestimable  value  in  our  world.  It  is  that  in  a 
man's  known  talents,  learning,  character,  experience,  and 
position,  on  which  a  presumption  is  based  that  what  he 
holds  is  true  ;  that  what  he  proposes  is  wise.  When  a 
man  has  reached  the  maturity  of  life,  this  is  all  that,  in 
th(!se  respects,  is  the  fruit  of  his  experience — the  growth 
of  many  years — and  constitutes,  in  our  world,  the  best  in- 
heritance of  virtue  and  of  truth.  It  is  a  protracted  work 
to  form  such  a  character.  Native  talent,  learning,  disci- 
pline, conflict,  toil,  experience,  moral  worth,  all  enter  into 
its  formation  ;  and  when  one  of  such  a  character  is  re- 
moved, another  such  slow  process — the  accumulation  of 
many  years — is  necessary  before  it  can  be  replaced.  There 
is  nothing  more  valuable  in  society  than  this  ;  there  is 
nothing  more  difficult  to  replace.  A  city  burned  may  be 
built  again.  Soon  the  rubbish  will  be  cleared  away ;  the 
streets  be  widened  and  straightened  ;  long  lines  of  dwellings 
and  warehouses  rise  from  the  ruins,  and  a  busy  population 
there  again  drive  on  the  affairs  of  commerce,  of  manufac- 
ture, of  trade.  Fields  visited  with  drought  are  soon  fresh 
and  green  again.  The  hills  and  valleys  are  clothed  with 
verdure  and  flocks,  the  grain  falls  before  the  reaper,  and 
the  wains  groan  heavily  laden  with  sheaves.  From  the 
fields  where  armies  have  encamped  or  fought ;  wdiere  the 


PUBLIC  AND   PRIVATE   TRIBUTES.  385 

harvest  has  hcen  trodden  down  by  passing-  and  repassing 
legions,  where  the  torch  has  made  everything  desolate,  all 
traces  of  the  war  are  soon  removed;  for  trees  are  planted, 
and  the  harvests  grow,  and  the  earth  is  rendered  fertile  by 
blood,  and  the  little  mounds  of  earth  which  marked  the 
place  where  brave  men  fell  and  died,  are  leveled  also,  and 
the  plow  passes  over  Marathon,  and  Waterloo,  and  An- 
tietam,  as  it  did  before. 

"  But  though  the  useful  man,  the  preacher,  the  pastor, 
the  man  of  experience,  the  man  of  eloquence,  is  no  more 
among  the  living,  yet  he  is  not  lost  to  the  universe,  nor  in 
a  higher  sphere,  to  the  cause  to  which  he  devoted  his  life. 
There  is  an  aggregate  ;  a  collection  ;  a  gain  to  the  universe - 
which  constitutes  heaven — for  heaven  is  made  up  of  all 
that  is  redeemed  from  earth.  The  results  of  all  the  wisdom, 
experience,  and  moral  worth  of  eai'th  are  there,  and  what 
is  gathered  there  will  shine  as  the  brightnesss  of  the  fir- 
mament, and  as  the  stars  for  ever  and  ever.* 

"  While  a  student  of  law  in  Rome,  N.  Y.,  an  important 
event  occurred,  which  led  to  an  entire  change  of  his  pur- 
pose of  life.  It  was  in  that  vicinity  that  the  Rev.  Charles 
G.  Finney,  who  had  himself  been  a  lawyer,  began  his 
labors  in  the  ministry,  and  his  most  marked  early  success 
as  a  preacher  occurred  in  that  place  in  a  revival  of  religion 
of  great  power.  In  that  revival,  nearly  every  merchant, 
almost  every  lawyer,  and  almost  every  man  of  influence, 
was  converted,  and  among  the  converts  was  young  Brai- 
nerd. 

********** 
"I  am  ignorant  of  the  mental  exercises  through  which 
he  passed  at  that  time.     I  know  only  that  he  became  a 
member  of  the  church  in  Rome,  in  1825  ;  that  he  at  once 


•*■  litre  follows  a  narration  of  facts  nlready  recorded  in  the  biography. 

33* 


386        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,   D.D. 

abandoned  his  profession  ;  that  he  chose  the  profession  of 
the  ministry  without  hesitation  ;  and  that  his  conversion 
changed  the  entire  current  of  his  life.  With  a  view  to  se- 
cure the  means  of  prosecuting  his  theological  studies,  he 
spent  a  year  in  teaching  in  Philadelphia.  During  that 
time  he  was  connected  with  the  church  of  the  Rev.  James 
Patterson,  and  entered  heartily  with  him  into  every  meas- 
ure for  promoting  the  interests  of  religion  in  the  northern 
part  of  the  city. 

"  In  October,  1S28,  he  entered  the  Theological  Seminary 
in  Andover,  and  graduated  there  in  the  class  of  1831.  He 
was  ordained  as  an  evangelist  in  New  York,  October  7th, 
1831,  and  went  immediately  to  the  West,  as  a  home  mis- 
sionary. In  December  of  that  year  he  was  settled  as 
pastor  of  the  Fourth  Church  in  Cincinnati,  where  he 
labored  two  years.  In  March,  1833,  he  became  editor  of 
the  Cincinnati  Journal,  which  he  conducted,  together 
with  the  YoutJVs  Magazine,  until  the  autumn  of  1836, 
nearly  four  years.  During  that  period  he  assisted  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Beecher  as  a  preacher  in  the  Second  Presbyterian 
Church  of  that  city,  an  event  which  laid  the  foundation  of 
mutual  confidence  and  affection  for  life.  In  October,  1836, 
he  was  called  to  the  pastoral  charge  of  the  Third  Presby- 
terian Church  in  Philadelphia,  where  he  commenced  his 
labors  February  1st,  1837.  His  pastoral  life  here  embraced 
a  period  of  just  about  thirty  years — as  eventful  years  in 
the  history  of  the  church  and  of  our  own  country  as  any 
that  have  occurred  since  we  became  a  nation.  The  history 
of  those  years  is  familiar  to  you  all. 

"  I  have  referred,  with  a  special  design,  to  the  fact  that 
Dr.  Brainerd  was  converted  under  the  preaching  of  the 
Rev.  Charles  G.  Finne}^;  that  he  was  early  associated  in 
labor  with  the  Rev.  James  Patterson;  and  that  he  was 
more  intimately,  and  for  a  longer  time,  associated  with 
Dr.  Lyman  Beecher  ;  for  it  was  by  the  influence  of  these 


PUBLIC  AND   PRIVATE   TRIBUTES.  38T 

men  and  their  preaching,  more  than  by  any  other  cause, 
perhaps  unconsciously  to  himself,  that  his  character  as  a 
preacher  was  formed.  Perhaps  no  three  men  could  be 
named  whose  character  and  mode  of  preaching-  would  be 
more  likely  to  influence  a  mind  like  his.  He  himself  was 
indeed  original.  He  copied  no  one.  He  probably  never 
set  any  man  before  him  as  a  model ;  he  transferred  to  him- 
self in  no  perceptible  manner,  the  language,  the  modes  of 
thought,  or  the  theological  opinions  of  another  man ;  but 
there  was,  if  I  mistake  not,  a  silent  influence  of  great 
power  which  went  forth  from  his  early  connection  with 
those  men,  which  greatly  affected  his  subsequent  character 
as  a  preacher  and  pastor.  Two  of  these  men  have  passed 
away  ;  hundreds,  perhaps  thousands,  will  bless  the  name 
of  each  one  of  them  forever,  as  the  instrument,  under  God, 
of  their  conversion. 

"Charles  G.  Finney. — Dr.  Brainerd's  earliest  religious 
impressions  were  probably  received  from  liim.  Mr.  Finney 
had  himself  been  a  lawyer, 'and  would  have  been  distin- 
guished as  a  lawyer  if  he  had  continued  to  pursue  that 
profession.  Not  always  safe  in  his  theological  opinions, 
and  not  having  been  trained  to  great  thoroughness  in  the- 
ological learning,  he  was,  nevertheless,  a  man  of  great 
power  in  showing  to  men  the  danger  of  false  hopes  ;  in 
setting  forth  the  real  nature  of  religion  ;  in  driving  men 
from  their  subterfuges  and  refuges  of  lies ;  in  proclaiming 
the  terrors  of  the  law  and  the  fearfulness  of  the  world  to 
come ;  in  laying  open  to  men  the  delusions  of  their  own 
hearts  ;  and  above  all,  in  proclaiming  the  majesty  of  God 
and  the  greatness  of  eternal  things,  and  in  making  all  thing.s 
else  dwindle  to  nothingness  before  the  Eternal  One,  and 
the  eternal  world.  Few  men  in  our  country  have  been  as 
well  fitted  to  act  on  the  higher  order  of  minds,  or  to  bring 
men,  proud  in  their  philosoi)hy  or  their  own  righteousness, 
to  the  foot  of  the  cross. 


388        LIFE  OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAFNERD,  D.D. 

"James  Patterson. — Not  graceful  in  manner;  not  pol- 
ished in  sentences  and  periods ;  not  aiming  at  beauty  of 
style  ;  and  not  courting  the  praises  of  men — with  a  keen 
eye  that  penetrated  the  soul ;  with  a  tall  and  impressive 
form;  with  unpolished  but  most  forcible  gestures;  with 
an  earnestness  of  manner  that  showed  that  his  whole  soul 
was  on  fire  ;  never  awed  by  the  fear  of  any  man  ;  ready  to 
do  good  in  any  way,  whether  in  approved  or  unapproved 
modes,  if  the  hearts  of  men  could  be  reached  ;  at  home 
alike  in  the  fields,  in  the  highways,  and  in  the  sanctuary  ; 
preaching  everywhere ;  talking  everywhere ;  praying  every- 
where; most  fearful  in  his  warnings  of  sinners,  most  terri- 
ble in  portraying  the  wrath  to  come,  and  yet  most  aflfable, 
genial,  pleasant  in  his  intercourse  with  men, — he  lived  and 
labored  for  the  sole  purpose  of  converting  men.  He  had 
an  unwavering  faith  in  revivals  of  religion,  and  his  minis- 
try was  made  up  of  successive  revivals  rapidly  following 
each  other,  bringing  great  multitudes  into  the  kingdom  of 
God. 

"  Dr.  Lyman  Beecher. — Than  he  there  has  been,  in  our 
country,  no  man  more  eloquent  in  the  pulpit ;  no  man  that 
could  make  a  more  effective  use  of  the  Anglo-Saxon  lan- 
guage. Clear,  rapid,  discriminating;  placing  truth  in  a 
few  words  in  the  light  of  a  sunbeam  ;  rising  often  to  the 
highest  flights  of  oratory  ;  often  exhibiting  the  most  beau- 
tiful poetic  conceptions  in  language  most  expressive  of 
those  conceptions;  and  then,  as  with  a  sledge-hammer, 
driving  great  thoughts  through  the  soul  until  you  were 
penetrated  through  and  through  with  them  ;  piling  on  ar- 
guments until  you  are  crushed  and  weary;  not  always 
equal,  and  sometimes  falling  so  low  that  you  wondered 
where  was  the  great  power  of  the  man:  but  even  then  in 
what  seemed  to  be  tame,  and  dull,  and  somber,  like  a  dull 
day,  by  some  new  and  startling  thought  suddenly  illumi- 
nating all  as  by  a  flash  from  the  heavens, — /belabored,  too, 


■  PUBLIC  AND   FRIVATE  TRIBUTES.  389 

for  revivals  of  religion.  I  have  sat  while  he  was  urg-ing 
great  thoughts  through  mv  soul  till  I  was  weary  and  could 
bear  no  more.  His  eye  was  then  eloquent.  The  adjusting 
of  his  spectacles  was  eloquent;  his  whole  manner  was 
eloquent.  He  sought  revivals  as  the  glorious  triumph  of 
the  gospel  ;  and  his  great  thoughts  and  his  keen  words 
were  designed  to  secure  this  result.  There  has  been  but 
one  man  in  this  country  that  understood  the  Saxon  part  of 
our  language  as  well  as  Dr.  Beecher — Daniel  Webster. 

"  Dr.  Brainerd,  whether  he  was  conscious  of  any  influence 
from  these  sources  or  not,  carried  much  of  all  this  into  his 
subsequent  life  ;  and  his  style  of  public  speaking  was 
formed  much  on  these  models.  He  would  have  risen  high 
in  the  profession  which  he  had  first  chosen.  He  had  been 
endowed  with  those  talents  which  we  naturally  associate 
with  the  best  efforts  at  the  bar — a  deep  knowledge  of 
human  nature  ;  a  quick  perception  of  the  point  at  issue  ; 
power  of  disentangling  that  from  all  other  points;  skill  in 
debate  ;  abundance  of  illustration  and  of  anecdote ;  the 
power  of  perceiving  the  weak  points  of  an  adversary  and 
the  strong  points  of  his  own  cause  ;  keenness  of  sarcasm 
and  invective,  if  necessary  ;  the  power  of  anticipating  the 
point  of  defense  of  an  adversary  ;  readiness  in  summon- 
ing to  his  memory  all  that  he  knew;  and  a  power  seldom 
equaled  of  showing  the  heinousness  of  guilt,  and  the  evils 
of  a  violation  of  law. 

"  Dr.  Brainerd's  power  eminently  was  that  of  a  public 
speaker — a  public  speaker  in  regular  and  set  discourses, 
but  perhaps  more  strikingly  in  debate.  His  early  oppor- 
tunities of  scholarship  had  not  been  great,  and  the  state  of 
his  health  and  his  abundant  public  duties  and  his  active 
life  had  prevented  his  greatly  enlarging  his  scholarship. 
He  had,  indeed,  by  reading,  by  observation,  by  conversa- 
tion, stored  his  mind  with  a  great  amount  of  information 
on  the  subjects  most  important  for  him  to  know ;  but  it  did 


390        l^IFE   OF  REV.  THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

not  pertain,  in  any  remarkable  degree,  to  either  scientific 
or  literary  subjects.  Of  information  to  be  derived  from  tlie 
daily  press,  perhaps  no  man  surpassed  him  ;  of  information 
derived  from  observation  and  a  keen  sagacity,  there  were 
none  of  his  brethren  who  were  his  equals.  His  literary 
labors  were  mostly  confined,  with  one  exception,  which  I 
shall  have  occasion  to  notice,  to  a  few  sermons,  to  a  few 
articles  in  our  Qaarlerhj  Review,  and  to  the  newspaper 
press  To  the  latter,  alike  by  his  taste  and  I)y  his  convic- 
tion that  in  this  way  truth  could  be  best  promulgated, 
regulating  the  public  mind  and  correcting  public  errors,  he 
contributed  much  ;  and  there  are  few  men,  even  of  those 
devoted  to  the  newspaper  press,  tliat  could  reach  the  pub- 
lic in  this  way  in  a  more  timely,  sagacious,  and  effective 
manner. 

"As  a  public  speaker,  alike  in  the  pulpit  and  in  delibera- 
tive bodies,  with  no  particular  advantage  of  manner,  but 
with  much,  arising  from  his  nervous  temperament,  that 
would  seem  to  promise  little,  he  yet  had  a  power  which 
few  men  possess.  In  preaching,  he  often  plunged  at  once 
into  the  middle  of  his  subject,  and  made  most  direct  and 
earnest  appeals  to  the  reason  and  conscience ;  in  debate, 
he  seized  at  once  upon  the  real  point  in  question,  and 
pressed  that  with  a  power  of  argument,  with  a  fervor  of 
language,  with  an  amplitude  of  illustration,  and  with  a 
severity  of  invective  and  sarcasm,  if  necessary,  which  few 
men  have  ever  exhibited  in  debate.  His  language  in  his 
public  discourses,  whether  extemporary  or  written,  was  as 
nearly  perfect  as  possible  ;  and  often  his  happiest  efforts 
— efforts  seldom  surpassed — were  in  extemporary  address. 
No  man  could  use  the  English  language  better ;  from  the 
lips  of  no  one  could  fall  more  pertinent  and  fit  words, 
more  complete  sentences,  more  beautiful  figures,  more 
striking  illustrations.  In  description,  in  statement,  in  ar- 
gument, in  warning,  in  appeal,  in  invective,  his  language 


PUBLIC  AND  PRIVATE   TRIBUTES.  39 1 

presented  the  best  forms  of  our  Anglo-Saxon  tongue. 
Often  in  a  public  assembly — in  such  a  vast  concourse  as 
Avas  assembled  in  the  great  hall  in  1S5T — when  the  inter- 
est of  the  meeting  languished,  a  few  words  from  him 
roused  the  vast  assembly  ;  when  the  coarse  of  things  was 
taking  an  unprofitable  direction,  a  few  remarks  from  him, 
with  no  reflection  cast  ou  others,  changed  the  current  of 
remark  and  feeling,  and  gave,  in  a  moment,  a  new  aspect 
to  the  course  of  things. 

"  When  he  fell  so  suddenly  by  death,  there  occurred  that 
of  which  the  prophet  Isaiah  speaks  as  a  great  public 
calamity — when  God  takes  away  'the  eloquent  orator,' 
or,  as  it  is  expressed  more  appropriately  in  the  margin, 
and  with  an  eminent  adaptedness  to  his  case,  'the  skillful 
of  ^liecch..''  Isa.  iii.  3.  No  words  could  better  describe  Dr. 
Brainerd's  eloquence  than  to  say  that  he  was  'skillful 
of  speech  ;'  none  could  better  represent  the  impression 
which  his  eloquence  made  on  his  hearers.  No  man  could 
hear  him  in  his  happiest  moods  without  being  impressed 
with  the  force  and  beauty  of  our  own  English  tongue,  and 
the  greatness  of  the  endowment  of  being  able  to  speak  in 
such  words  for  truth  and  for  God. 

"For  the  endowment  of  being  'skillful  of  speech'  is  one 
of  God's  great  gifts  to  man;  one  of  the  noblest  and  the 
most  marvelous  of  our  talents  ;  one  which,  as  much  as  any 
other,  alike  in  the  original  power  and  in  the  highest  forms 
of  that  power,  shows  the  Creator's  greatness  and  wisdom. 
No  philosopher  has  been  able  to  explain  how  man  at  first 
learned  to  speak  ;  none  could  teach  man  to  speak  if  God. 
had  not  taught  Adam;  none  who  deny  the  miraculous 
agency  of  the  Creator  can  exj)lain  how  it  is. 

"And  it  is  worthy  of  such  an  origin  as  it  had.  Alike  in 
the  daily  intercourse  of  life,  in  our  business,  in  our  enjo\'- 
ments,  and  in  all  the  great  purposes  of  divine  Providence 
in  the  advancement  of  the  interests  of  the  world,  it  shows 


392        I'IFE   OF  REV.   TIIOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

itself  worthy  of  such  an  origin.  For  speech  has  been 
connected  with  all  the  purposes  of  justice.  It  has  been  a 
prime  agent  in  the  defense  of  liberty.  It  has  been  identi- 
fied with  the  triumphs  of  religion  and  the  salvation  of 
souls.  Speech  in  the  Senate  house  ;  speech  in  the  hall  of 
justice ;  speech  before  a  battle  ;  speech  in  the  pulpit  has 
been  identified  with  all  the  triumphs  of  justice,  liberty,  and 
religion  in  the  world.  There  is  no  power  like  the  power  of 
Demosthenes,  Cicero,  Burke,  Chatham,  Webster.  It  sways 
the  passions,  and  the  will,  and  the  intellect,  and  the  imag- 
inations of  men,  as  the  trees  of  the  forest  are  moved  by 
the  mighty  winds  ;  and  more  than  to  the  power  of  arms  in 
battle,  is  the  progress  of  the  world  to  be  traced  to  the 
power  of  language. 

"  It  is  most  noble,  and  reaches  its  highest  and  most  dis- 
tinct results  when  employed  in  proclaiming  the  gospel  to 
men.  The  pulpit  is  its  loftiest  place,  and  there  the  pur- 
poses of  God  in  speech  are  most  signally  accomplished.  In 
defending  the  truth  of  God,  in  proclaiming  his  will,  in  pub- 
lishing the  great  facts  of  redemption,  in  persuading  men  to 
turn  from  sin,  in  making  known  the  realities  of  eternity,  in 
inviting  a  lost  race  to  the  cross  —  that  is  its  highest  office 
and  its  sublimest  employment.  Paul,  on  Mars'  Hill,  in 
proclaiming  the  gospel,  was  greater  than  Demosthenes 
thundering  against  Phillip;  AVhitfield  at  the  collieries, 
was  greater  in  the  results  of  his  speaking  than  Burke  in 
the  splendors  of  Westminster  Hall  on  the  trial  of  Warren 
Hastings,  or  than  Patrick  Henry  when  he  summoned  the 
American  colonies  to  freedom. 

"  The  success  of  Dr.  Brainerd  as  a  pastor  depended  not 
only  on  the  character  of  his  preaching,  but,  in  a  large  de- 
gree, on  his  character  as  a  man.  His  frank,  open,  genial 
manners;  the  fact  that  he  was  accessible  at  all  times  ;  his 
allabiliiy;  the  interest  which  he  took  in  the  wants  of 
others;  his  sympathy  with  the  poor,  the  sick,  and  ihe  be- 


PUBLIC  AND   PRIVATE   TRIBUTES.  393 

roaved ;  his  happy  addresses  on  funeral  occasions;  and 
especially  his  appreciation  of  the  feelings,  the  aspirations, 
and  the  stragglings  of  young  men,  contributed- in  an  enii- 
nent  degree  to  this,  and,  to  an  unusual  extent,  he  retained 
these  characteristics  in  advancing  years,  when  he  had 
reached  a  period  of  threescore.  From  auN^thing  that  ap- 
pears, his  preaching,  and  his  mode  of  intercourse  with  the 
young,  was  as  attractive  in  his  last  years  as  it  had  I)een 
at  any  former  period  of  his  life.  Probably  at  no  period  of 
his  life  were  there  more  young  men,  in  proportion  to  the 
Avhole  number  in  attendance  on  his  ministry,  than  in  his 
last  years;  and  it  was  one  of  the  things  that  eminently 
gladdened  his  heart,  in  all  the  discouragements  from  the 
position  of  his  church — which  he  felt  indeed  keenly — that 
Avhile  numbers  of  his  best  families  were  removing  in  the 
general  tide  that  was,  and  is,  setting  to  other  parts  of  the 
city,  he  was  still  drawing  around  him  the  young,  the  en- 
terprising, and  the  prosperous,  just  as  they  were  forming 
their  character,  to  sustain  this  ancient  and  venerable 
church. 

"Dr.  Brainerd,  as  a  pastor,  had  one  peculiarity  in  his 
labors  and  plans  which  it  is  not  improper  to  advert  to,  as 
it,  in  his  case,  was  attended  with  marked  success.  It  was, 
that  while  he  labored  earnestly  for  revivals  of  religion,  and 
relied  on  such  works  of  grace  in  promoting  the  progress  of 
religion,  he  looked  for  the  most  marked  success  at  a  certain 
season  of  the  year.  The  ordinary  labors  of  the  autumn 
and  winter  were  almost  uniformly  followed  by  special 
efforts,  mostly  in  the  form  of  protracted  meetings,  in  the 
close  of  the  winter  and  the  beginning  of  the  spring;  and 
then  he  hoped  to  gather,  as  in  a  harvest,  the  result  of  the 
labors  of  the  year.  These  efforts  were  almost  uniformlv 
successful ;  and  a  large  portion  of  those  received  into  the 
church,  during  his  ministry  here,  were  admitted  at  that 
season  of  the  year.     At  such  times  his  own  labors  and 

M 


394        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS   BRAINERD,  D.D. 

anxieties  were  so  exhausting-  as  to  make,  in  his  case,  the 
ordinary  rest  to  which  pastors,  with  other  men,  look  for- 
warr]  in  the  summer  months,  absolutely  indispensable. 

"Dr.  Brainerd  was  a  man  whose  labors  and  influence 
could  not  be  confined  to  his  own  particular  church,  or  to 
his  own  denomination,  or  to  religion  alone.  He  was  not 
made  to  be  a  mere  'parish  minister,'  and  the  churches  of 
our  own  denomination  here  and  elsewhere,  and  the  cause 
of  religion  in  general,  and  the  interests  of  patriotism  and 
the  country,  owe  much  to  his  zeal,  his  talents,  his  large, 
catholic  spirit,  and  his  patriotism. 

"  Philadelphia,  and  especially  our  own  denomination, 
owes  much  to  his  counsels,  and  to  his  persevering  efforts 
in  the  establishment  of  the  churches  which  have  been  or- 
ganized here  since  he  became  pastor  of  this  church. 

"The  renovation  of  this  church  was  owing  very  much 
to  his  conviction  of  the  necessity  of  such  renovation,  that 
it  might  maintain  the  position  which  it  had  long  held,  and 
to  his  personal  efforts. 

"  The  Green  Hill  Church  had  its  origin  entirely  in  his 
convictions  of  the  necessity  of  such  a  church  in  that  part 
of  the  city.  Ilis  own  residence,  for  seven  years,  owing 
to  feel)le  health,  was  in  that  part  of  what  is  now  the  city, 
but  what  was  then  a  suburb,  lying  quite  beyond  the  city, 
but  Avhich  he  saw  would  soon  demand  a  church  of  our  de- 
nomination. The  lot  on  which  the  church  stands  was 
secured  by  him,  and  a  considerable  part  of  the  funds  for 
building  the  church  was  raised  by  his  own  personal 
efforts. 

"To  him,  almost  entirely,  it  is  owing  that  the  Clinton 
Street  Church  is  now  connected  with  our  denomination. 
It  was  about  to  pass  from  the  Congregational  denomina- 
tion to  other  hands,  and  that  it  did  not  pass  to  a  denomi- 
nation ia  no  way  connected  with  us,  is  to  be  ascribed  to  his 
determination  of  purpose.     He  formed  the  plan  of  secur- 


rVBLIG  AND   PRIVATE   TRIBUTES.  395 

ing  it  to  our  denomination,  and  he  and  the  Rev.  Anson 
Rood,  by  personal  solicitations  and  efforts,  secured  the 
amount  necessary  to  carry  out  the  purpose. 

"  The  Calvary  Church  owes  its  establishment  much  to 
his  efforts  and  to  his  counsels,  and  it  may  be  safely  said 
that,  if  it  had  not  been  for  his  efforts,  and  for  his  remark- 
able influence  over  men  of  wealth,  this  enterprise  would 
never  have  been  carried  through.  Forty  meetings  were 
held,  sometimes  protracted  to  a  late  hour  in  the  night,  in 
consultation  on  the  plan,  and  in  efforts  to  secure  its  suc- 
cess. From  those  meetings  he  was  almost  never  absent; 
and,  in  all  that  was  doubtful  about  it,  he  never  lost  his 
confidence  in  it,  or  faltered  in  his  own  purpose  that  it 
should  be  accomplished.  Often  did  his  voice  rouse  and 
animate  those  assembled,  when  desponding  or  doubtful; 
and  often  did  his  appeals  and  his  ready  wit — even  when 
there  was  some  hazard  of  giving  offense  in  such  appeals — 
create  new  zeal  in  the  cause.  He  could  say  things  which 
others  could  not  have  said  without  giving  offense.  On 
one  occasion,  when  the  whole  enterprise  seemed  to  hang 
in  doubt,  he  rose  and  said  with  deep  gravity  and  solem- 
nity: '  Gentlemen,  there  are  certain  Christian  graces  which 
those  in  your  condition  have  never  had  the  privilege  of  ex- 
ercising. The  grace  of  submission  in  times  of  poverty ;  the 
grace  of  a  deep  sense  of  dependence  on  God  for  your  daily 
bread  ;  the  grace  which  they  exercise  who,  at  the  head  of 
a  family,  see  their  children  crying  for  bread;  and  the  grace 
needed  to  sustain  the  heart  in  the  night-watches,  when  a 
man  does  not  know  where  provision  is  to  come  from  to 
supply  the  morning  meal — these  and  similar  graces  of  the 
Christian,  you  have  never  had  the  opportunity  of  exercising, 
and  probably  never  will.  The  grace  which  you  are  called 
upon  to  exercise  is  that  which  arises  from  the  right  use  of 
property — from  devoting  it  to  God  in  promoting  his  cause 
— from  doing  what  is  necessary  to  be  done  to  secure  the 


396        LIFE   OF  REV.  THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

spread  of  religion  around  3'ou — and  if  you  do  not  do  this, 
the  Lord  have  mercy  on  your  souls.''  Any  man  might 
well  have  hesitated  as  to  what  would  be  the  effect  of  such 
an  appeal.  From  some  men  it  would  have  been  received 
with  cold  silence,  or  would  have  stirred  up  wrath.  There 
was,  indeed,  at  the  close  of  this  singular  speech,  a  mo- 
mentary silence,  and  then  all  present  burst  out  into  a  loud 
laugh — and  his  object  was  accomplished. 

"  To  his  efforts,  also,  associated  with  the  members  of 
this  church  and  congregation,  it  is  owing  that  the  German 
Street  Church  has  been  completed,  and  has  been  retained 
to  our  denomination  ;  and,  at  the  time  of  his  death,  he  had 
projected  a  new  enterprise  in  the  extreme  southeastern  part 
of  the  city,  with  an  ultimate  reference  to  the  establishment 
of  a  church. 

"  Dr.  Brainerd,  though  he  was  a  decided  Calvinist  in  his 
doctrinal  views,  and  a  thorough  Presbyterian  in  his  con- 
victions on  the  proper  mode  of  the  organization  and  gov- 
ernment of  the  church;  and  though  in  all  that  long  conflict 
which  has  been  waged  with  the  other  '  branch'  of  our  de- 
nomination— alike  in  the  trial  of  Dr.  Beecher,  for  heresy, 
when  he  was  associated  with  him  as  a  preacher;  in  the 
debates  of  the  General  Assembly  previous  to  the  division, 
of  which  he  was  a  member  ;*  in  the  division  of  the  church 
in  1838  ;  and  in  all  the  long  period  since,  now  nearly  thirty 
years,  he  has  been  thoroughly  identified,  on  the  firmest  con- 
viction of  truth  and  justice,  with  oar  branch  of  the  church, 
true  to  its  rights,  to  its  principles,  and  to  its  interests, — 
yet  he  Avas  not  a  bigoted  man,  or  a  man  who  regarded  all 

*  lie  was  a  member  of  the  General  Assembly  in  May,  18.36,  the  year 
before  the  '•  Excinding  Acts,"  leading  to  thi  division  of  the  church  were 
passed.  His  being  a  icember  of  the  Assembly  that  jear  was  the  imme- 
diate occasion  of  his  being  employed  during  the  summer  as  a  stated  sup- 
ply in  the  Pine  Street  Church,  which  resulted  in  his  being  called  to  the 
church  as  its  pastor. 


PUBLIC  AND   rniVATE   TRIBUTES.  397 

the  interests  of  truth,  of  religion,  and  of  humanity  as  con- 
fined to  his  own  denomination.  In  the  temperance  cause; 
in  Union  Prayer-meeting-s  ;  in  promoting  tlie  interests  of 
religion  in  general ;  in  public  matters,  he  did  not  make  it 
a  subject  of  inquiry  whether  they  were  controlled  by 
Presbyterians,  or  whether  his  own  denomination  was  to 
acquire  strength  or  credit  as  being  prominent  in  such 
public  movements.  As  long  as  the  great  prayer-meetings 
in  Jayne's  Hall  shall  be  remembered,  Dr.  Brainerd  will  be 
remembered  as  having,  with  that  holy  man  of  the  Baptist 
denomination.  Dr.  Kennard,  and  Dudley  Tyng,  of  the 
Episcopal,  both  now  with  him  before  the  throne  of  the 
same  Saviour,  contributed  as  much  as  any  other  man  to 
the  interest  and  the  success  of  the  meeting. 

"It  occurred  before  his  death  that  there  was  an  oppor- 
tunity of  evincing,  in  a  manner  such  as  there  has  never 
before  been  an  opportunity  of  evincing,  the  love  of  country  ; 
and  in  that  fearful  struggle  of  four  years,  all  that  was  the 
proper  fruit  of  his  early  training,  and  of  the  Puritan  doc- 
trine which  he  had  been  taught  to  believe,  and  all  that  was 
generous,  large-hearted  and  patriotic  in  his  nature,  was 
fully  developed.  He  felt,  as  few  even  then  felt,  that  all 
that  was  dear  to  liberty  was  at  stake.  He  felt  more  keenly 
than  most  men  feel  the  evil  of  treason  and  rebellion.  He 
appreciated  in  the  highest  degree  the  blessings  of  liberty 
for  which  our  fathers  fought  in  the  war  of  Independence, 
and  anticipated  with  more  apprehension  than  most  men  did 
the  evils  which  would  result  if  the  rebellion  should  be  suc- 
cessful. He  was  not  formed  to  be  a  military  man,  and  he 
was  too  old,  and  his  health  too  much  impaired,  even  if 
his  position  had  not  prevented  it,  to  join  in  the  active  de- 
fense of  his  country.  But  he  could  defend  by  his  eloquent 
appeals  the  righteous  cause ;  he  could  denounce  in  such 
burning  words  as  few  men  could  use  the  evils  of  treason 
and  rebellion  ;  he  could  stimulate  and  animate  his  own 

34* 


398        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D  D. 

people  in  sustaining  tlie  government ;  he  could  encourage 
bis  own  young  men  to  give  themselves  to  the  service  of 
their  country  ;  he  could  counsel  and  animate  them  as  they 
left  their  homes  for  the  field  of  strife,  perhaps  not  to  return 
again  ;  he  could  meet  the  soldier  on  his  way  to  the  battle- 
field at  the  '  Refreshment  Room,'  and  encourage  him  in 
bis  purpose,  and  could  greet  him  again  on  his  return, 
weary,  or  sick,  or  wounded,  and  minister  to  his  wants  ; 
and  he  could  visit  the  great  hospitals  of  our  city,  as  a  min- 
ister of  consolation  to  impart  comfort  to  the  wounded,  the 
sick,  and  the  dying.  And  it  was  done  ;  done  as  this  work 
was  done  by  no  other  pastor  in  this  city.  For  four  years 
he  was  under  as  intense  excitement  as  his  physical  frame 
could  bear : — an  excitement  unintermitted  b}^  day  and  by 
night,  wearing  on  his  exhausted  nervous  system,  perhaps 
hastening  the  event  which  we  mourn  to-day.  From  this 
intense  excitement  he  found  no  rest,  no  intermission — until 
that  eventful  night  when  the  news  ran  through  the  city 
that  '  General  Lee  and  his  army  had  surrendered.'  Then 
thousands  crowded  the  streets.  Then  the  sound  of  joy 
and  rejoicing  was  heard  everywhere.  Then  tears  of  joy 
flowed  freely.  Then  men  met  men  as  they  had  not  done 
for  four  years  before.  Then,  in  as  sublime  a  scene  as  our 
country  has  witnessed,  thousands  of  voices  spontaneously 
joined  in  front  of  the  building  where  the  Declaration  of  In- 
dependence was  made,  in  singing  to  Old  Hundred, 

'  Praise  God  from  whotn  all  blessings  flow,' 

and  then — who  could  have  done  it  more  appropriately  than 
he  ? — Dr.  Brainerd  led  the  vast  multitude  in  expressing 
thanks  to  God. 

"  Beyond  his  newspaper  labors,  a  few  sermons,  a  few 
tracts,  and  a  few  articles  in  our  Preahyterian  Quarterly — 
of  which  he  was  one  of  the  founders,  and  of  which  he  con- 
tinued to  I)e  one  of  the  editors  to  the  time  of  his  death — 


PUBLIC  AND   PRIVATE   TRIBUTES.  399 

Pr.  Brainerd's  published  productions  are  not  numerous. 
It  is  remarkable,  and  it  was  singularly  appropriate,  that 
the  only  literary  work  of  considerable  magnitude  in  which 
he  engaged,  AA^as  the  Life  of  a  member  of  the  Brainerd 
family,  who  was  comparatively  unknown,  and  who  died 
seventy  years  since  :  a  modest,  earnest,  humble,  patient, 
and  laborious  missionary.  The  name  of  David  Brainerd 
was  known  as  far  as  that  of  any  man  in  modern  times  who 
has  engaged  in  the  work  of  missions  That  name  has 
been  most  influential  in  promoting  the  present  movement 
in  the  work  of  converting  the  world.  More  than  perhaps 
by  any  other  man,  the  character  of  Henry  Martyn  had 
been  formed,  and  his  zeal  awakened,  by  the  character  and 
life  of  David  Brainerd.  But  the  name  of  John,  his  brother 
and  his  successor,  not  less  pious  and  devoted  to  his  Mas- 
ter's cause,  was  little  known.  He  had  labored  in  obscurity; 
he  had  not  been  remarkably  successful  in  his  work  among 
the  Indians  ;  he  had  become  an  humble  pastor  in  an  ob- 
scure church  ;  and  he  had  died  with  no  one  as  yet  to  re- 
cord his  worth,  and  to  perpetuate  the  record  of  his  labors. 

"  It  occurred  to  Dr.  Brainerd  to  endeavor  to  rescue  from 
forgetfulness  what  could  be  recovered  respecting  his  life 
and  labors,  and  to  hold  him  up,  also,  as  an  example  to  the 
church  and  the  world.  To  this  work  he  gave  the  leisure 
of  the  last  years  of  his  life.  On  that  work  he  bestowed 
a  great  amount  of  labor,  in  correspondence  and  in  travel- 
ing, and  gathered  all  that  there  was  to  be  gathered,  alike 
in  this  country  and  in  Europe,  in  memory  of  a  man  little 
known,  and  over  whose  remains  for  nearly  seventy  3'ears 
there  was  not  even  a  stone  to  mark  the  place  of  his  rest; 
for  whom,  as  Dr.  Brainerd  remarked,  'no  gazette  heralded 
his  departure,  no  orator  gave  him  an  eulogy,  and  no  gen- 
erous appreciation  raised  him  a  monument.'* 

■■■  Life  of  John  Brainerd,  pp.  434,  435. 


400        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

"This  work,  most  happily  executed,  and  which  furnishes 
a  ground  for  regret  that  its  author  gave  no  more  to  the 
work!  through  the  press,  might  be  appropriately  considered 
as  the  biography  of  three  men  of  rare  piety  and  usefulness. 
David  Brainerd,  a  sketch  of  whose  life  is  necessarily 
given  to  prepare  the  way  for  the  notice  of  his  brother  and 
successor,  John,  the  obscure  and  unknown,  but  faithful 
missionary ;  and  the  author  himself.  Some  of  Pr.  Brai- 
nerd's  best  thoughts,  and  some  of  the  happiest  specimens 
of  his  writing,  and  specimens  that  will  compare  favorably 
with  any  others  found  in  our  best  writers,  occur  in  that 
volume.  As  a  specimen  of  his  style  and  manner,  and  as 
an  illustration  of  the  remark  which  1  have  just  made,  I 
will  copy  a  single  paragraph,  alike  for  its  own  beauty,  and 
for  the  justness  of  its  reflections. 

"'In  moving  into  the  future,  it  is  the  destiny  of  man 
to  move  into  relative  darkness.  Every  individual  human 
advance  is  an  adventure  in  paths  dim,  difficult,  and  perilous, 
never  yet  trodden  ;  an  experiment  of  labors  and  perils  not 
yet  endured,  of  responsibilities  yet  to  be  discharged,  and 
of  aims  and  elevations  yet  to  be  surmounted.  No  wonder 
that  in  these  circumstances  man  looks  around  him  to  in- 
quire, "  Has  any  one  mapped  out  the  way  ?  Has  an}'^  one 
successfully  threaded  the  difficult  and  dreary  paths?  Has 
any  one  borne  the  labors  and  overcome  the  dangers  ?  Has 
any  one  scaled  the  heights,  and  laid  his  hand  on  the  prof- 
fered prize?" 

"'The  martial  spirit  is  kept  alive  by  the  great  names 
and  achievements  of  its  heroes :  its  Caesars,  Wellingtons, 
and  Napoleons.  Science  renews  its  energy  in  communion 
with  the  names  of  its  Galileos,  Lockes,  and  Newtons. 
Men  are  brave  to  strike  for  human  freedom  under  the  shel- 
ter of  the  great  examples  of  Hampden,  Cromwell,  and 
Washington.     The  biographies  of  the  eminent  dead  not 


PUBLIC  AND   PRIVATE   TRIBUTES.  401 

only  furnish  illustrations  of  what  the  living  may  be,  and 
do,  and  dare ;  they  not  only  lift  men  above  the  crowd  to  a 
higher  estimate  of  human  capacity  and  power;  they  do 
more  through  the  social  principles  by  which  one  is  set  to 
imitate  the  good  works  which  he  contemplates  in  others. 
The  church  of  God  has  always  availed  itself  of  these 
principles  of  our  nature ;  and  while  war  has  cherished  its 
heroes,  and  science  its  devotees,  Christianity  has  wisely 
embalmed  the  memory  of  her  great  teachers,  her  saints, 
and  her  martyrs.  It  is  well  it  is  so  ;  for,  however  dwarfed 
may  be  the  present  age  in  any  grace  or  attainment,  the 
true  and  growing  Christian  can  find  solace,  sympathy,  and 
companionship  with  the  more  excellent  men  and  things  of 
the  past.'— pp.  10,  11.* 

"  It  Avas  also  a  remarkable — can  we  suppose  it  to  have 
been  otherwise  than  a  providential? — arrangement  that  the 
last  public  service  of  Dr.  Brainerd  should  have  had  refer- 
ence to  the  name  which  he  himself  bore,  and  that  it  should 
have  occurred  in  the  very  place — '  The  Forks  of  the  Del- 
aware'— where  these  Brothers,  David  and  John,  whose 
memory  he  had  thus  contributed  to  perpetuate  and  em- 
balm, had  successively  labored.  A  church  had  been 
founded  at  Easton,"!"  called  the  'Brainerd  Church,'  in 
honor  of  the  labors  of  David  Brainerd,  and  he  was  invited 
to  address  the  '  Brainerd  Missionary  Society,'  in  that 
church.  It  was  his  closing  work  on  earth.  Feeble  then, 
with  a  trembling  frame,  with  a  voice  so  weak  as  scarcely 
to  be  audible,  under  the  influence  of  a  state  of  body  which 
was  in  a  few  weeks  to  remove  him  from  earth,  he  per- 
formed his  last  public  services  there  on  earth,  and  finished 


®  For  similar  specimens  of  beautiful  writing,  and  of  valuable  senti- 
ments, I  may  refer  to  pp.  88-91,  93-95,  102,  103,  122. 
f  On  the  missionary  field  of  Da,vid  Brainerd. 


402        J^IFJ^   OF  REV.  THOMAS  BRAIN ERD.  D.D. 

the  labors  of  a  life  spent  in  eminent  usefulness  in  the 
church  of  God.* 

"  Like  David  Brainerd,  and  like  most  of  his  family,  he 
was  a  man  subject  to  depression  of  spirits,  and  he  appre- 
hended much,  as  his  own  father  had  suffered  much,  in  the 
closing  scene  of  life.  He  apprehended  paralysis,  perhaps 
months  or  years  of  helplessness,  and  at  the  same  time 
months  or  years  of  mental  darkness  and  depression.  Prom 
both  these  he  was  mercifully  preserved.  In  a  moment, 
almost  in  the  twinkling  of  an  eye,  without  anything  un- 
usual to  excite  apprehension  or  alarm,  without  pain,  with- 
out consciousne^ss,  he  was  taken  from  earth  to  heaven. 
Could  the  warmest  affection  for  him  have  ordered  the  cir- 
cumstances of  his  deatli  more  mercifully  or  kindly? 

"I  trust  that  it  will  not  be  regarded  as  inappropriate,  in 
conclusion,  to  refer,  in  a  word,  to  my  own  personal  feel- 
ings, and  my  own  sense  of  loss  when  he  was  so  suddenly 
taken  away.  Kever  before  have  I  so  felt  that  I  stood 
alone  on  the  shores  of  the  great  ocean  of  eternity  as  I  felt 
then  ;  and  why  should  not  the  personal  friendship  of  so 
many  years  be  allowed  to  utter  its  feelings  in  sympathy 
with  a  mourning  congregation  on  an  occasion  like  this? 

"  Why  should  not  the  memory  of  other  days  come  over 
my  soul  here?  AVhy  should  I  not  speak  of  the  loss  which 
I  have  sustained  as  well  as  you  ?  Why  should  I  not  be 
permitted,  while  I  speak  of  his  public  life,  also  to  bear  my 
testimony  to  him  as  a  warm-hearted,  true,  generous,  sin- 
cere, and  affectionate  friend  ?  For,  for  an  unusual  period 
in  human  life — for  thirty  years — we  were  united  in  such 
intimacy  and  friendship  as  rarely  exists  on  earth,  and  is 
still  more  rarely  prolonged  for  such  a  period;  for  we  lived 

*  That  sermon  has  been  published  under  the  title,  "The  Last  Sermon 
of  the  Rev.  Thomas  Brainerd,  D.D."  It  is  oo  the  text,  ''Let  no  man 
deepise  thy  youth." 


PUBLIC  AND  PRIVATE  TRIBUTES.  403 

and  labored  side  by  side,  we  took  sweet  counsel  together, 
we  traveled  together,  we  prayed  together,  we  rejoiced  to- 
gether, we  mourned  together.  We  had  no  envies,  jealousies, 
or  heart-burnings,  and  there  was  nothing  to  be  forgiven 
on  either  side  when  he  died.  We  rejoiced  each  in  the  suc- 
cess of  the  other  as  if  it  were  his  own  success — for  it  was 
success  in  the  cause  which  we  both  loved,  and  in  the  ad- 
vancement of  that  Master's  kingdom  which  w^e  were  both 
endeavoring  to.  promote.  When  he  was  buried  I  felt  as  if 
half  of  myself  was  in  that  coffin,  and  was  committed  to 
that  grave — how  could  I  help  it  ?  I  have  younger  friends 
among  my  brethren,  dear  to  my  heart,  and  securing  daily 
more  and  more  my  affections;  but  you  must  approach  the 
period  where  the  ominous  number  'threescore  and  ten'  is 
not  remote  to  understand  how  a  man  feels  when  the  friend 
of  thirty  years — and  such  a  friend — is  committed  to  the 
tomb." 

At  the  close  of  the  sermon,  Mr.  Barnes  read  the  hymn — 

"Servant  of  God,  well  done; 
Best  from  thy  loved  employ; 
The  battle  fought,  the  victory  won, 
Enter  thy  Master's  joy. 

"The  voice  at  midnight  came, 
He  started  up  to  hear; 
A  mortal  arrow  pierced  his  frame, 
He  fell — but  felt  no  fear. 

"Tranquil  amidst  alarms. 
It  found  him  on  the  iield, 
A  veteran  slumbering  on  his  arms, 
Beneath  his  red-cross  shield. 

"The  pains  of  death  are  past, 
Labor  and  sorrow  cease; 
And  life's  long  warfare  closed  at  last. 
His  soul  is  found  in  peace. 


404       LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

"Soldier  of  Christ,  well  done; 
Praise  be  thy  new  employ ; 
And  while  eternal  ages  run, 
Rest  in  thy  Saviour's  joy." 

This  hymn  was  sung  by  the  choir  with  much  feeling. 

"  No  sketch  can  do  justice  to  the  eloquence,  ferv^or,  and 
truth  of  the  memorial  sermon  delivered  yesterday  by  Rev. 
Albert  Barnes,  in  eulogy  of  the  late  Rev.  Dr.  Brainerd. 
'Old  Pine  Street  Church'  was  filled  by  an  immense  con- 
gregation, all  of  whom  had  some  affectionate  association 
connected  with  his  memory,  and  the  pathetic  voice  of  his 
venerable  co-worker  fell  upon  ears  eager  to  receive  the 
warm  words  of  sympathy,  of  praise,  and  of  loving  analysis 
of  the  noble  character  of  Dr.  Brainerd.  It  will  be  long 
ere  any  who  heard  this  noble  tribute  to  one  of  Philadel 
phia's  ablest  divines  will  forget  it." — Evening  Bnlletin. 

Dr.  March  on  the  Character  of  Dr.  Brainerd. 

"  I  shall  always  remember  Dr.  Brainerd  as  a  nian  of 
genial  spirit,  pleasant  address,  and  hopeful  temperament. 
I  met  him  in  all  places  ;  quite  as  often  in  the  street  as  any- 
where else — he  generally  on  horseback,  and  I  as  genernlly 
on  foot.  He  never  would  let  himself  pass  without  riding 
up  to  the  curbstone  and  dropping  a  good-humored  word, 
which  made  the  walk  seem  pleasanter  to  me  for  several 
squares  after  he  was  out  of  sight. 

"  I  never  knew  him  to  speak  in  a  public  meeting,  large 
or  small,  religious  or  secular,  without  diffusing  a  glow  of 
kindly  feeling  through  the  audience,  and  disposing  every 
heart  to  respond  to  the  sentiments  and  sympathies  of  our 
common  humanity.  The  great  burdens  of  life  were  as 
heavy  on  him  as  on  the  rest  of  us,  but  he  had  the  happy 
faculty  of  bearing  them  himself,  and  helping  others  to  bear 
them,  with  so  much  geniality,  buoyancy  and  hopefulness. 


PUBLIC  AND   PRIVATE   TRIBUTES.  405 

as  to  take  away  half  their  weight.  He  supported  his  own 
burden  of  care  and  responsibility  with  a  good-humored  and 
elastic  spirit,  knowing  that  the  strain  upon  the  carriage, 
and  the  friction  on  the  wheels  are  less  when  the  load  rests 
upon  springs. 

"  In  our  ministers'  meeting,  in  our  consultations  upon  the 
common  good  of  all  our  churches,  in  our  efforts  to  raise 
money,  or  to  relieve  difficulties,  or  to  start  new  enterprises, 
we  always  looked  to  him  for  an  apt  remark,  or  a  telling 
illusti'ation,  or  a  'little  story,'  that  would  make  the  task 
before  us  seem  lighter,  and  bring  its  accomplishment  within 
the  range  of  our  hopes.  His  playfulness  always  had  a 
serious  and  practical  turn.  If  he  cast  the  pleasant  light  of 
humor  upon  our  most  thoughtful  deliberations,  it  was  only 
to  scatter  the  shades  of  doubt  and  fear,  and  make  the  path 
of  duty  plain.  And  it  was  a  very  great  matter  for  us  all 
to  have  a  man  among  us  of  large  experience,  of  earnest 
purpose,  and  of  practical  judgment,  who  could  help  us  over 
the  hard  places  with  a  touch  of  humor,  and  scatter  the 
clouds  of  despondency  by  a  cheerful  glance  at  l)etter  things 
to  come. 

"  Dr.  Brainerd  excelled  greatly  in  his  ready  adaptation 
to  times  and  circumstances.  He  had  the  happy  art  of 
putting  things  in  their  right  place,  giving  to  every  occasion 
its  full  and  fit  expression.  Belonging  to  a  profession  which, 
by  instinct,  usage,  and  education,  clings  to  stately  ceremo- 
nies and  established  forms,  he  could  step  out  of  the  old 
track  with  the  grace  of  propriety  and  the  ease  of  uncon- 
scious adaptation.  He  could  preach  the  gospel  with  ten- 
derness and  solemnity,  in  the  church,  in  a  market-house, 
and  in  the  open  air.  He  could  command  the  attention  of 
citizens  and  soldiers,  in  saloons  and  hospitals,  in  public 
streets  and  crowded  squares,  in  camp  and  on  shipboard. 
He  could  preside  with  equal  propriety  over  a  General  As- 
sembly, a   Presbytery,  or   a   prayer-meeting.     He   could 

35 


406   LIFE   OF  REV.    THOMAS  BRAIXERD,  D  D. 

make  himself  beard  and  respected  b}-  the  rich  in  their  par- 
lors and  counting-houses,  and  by  the  poor  in  their  cheer- 
less homes  and  lowly  occupations.  In  times  of  trouble 
and  danger,  when  the  cloud  of  national  calamity  hung  thick 
and  dai'k  over  us  all,  he  was  a  safe  man  to  soothe  the  gen- 
eral alarm,  a  brave  man  to  meet  the  coming  peril,  a  tender- 
hearted man  to  utter  the  public  sorrow.  In  times  of  joy 
and  triumph,  none  rose  with  a  more  exultant  and  child- 
like joy  upon  the  waves  of  public  gratulation,  none  could 
speak  the  common  gladness,  better  than  he.  He  had  a 
quick  sensibility  to  catch  the  spirit  of  any  occasion,  and  a 
ready  tact  to  meet  its  demands.  Men  who  scoffed  at  re- 
ligion, and  made  light  of  all  sacred  things,  were  not  likely 
to  go  unrebuked  from  his  presence.  The  cultivated  skep- 
tic and  the  rude  blasphemer  found  that  in  assailing  him 
they  had  something  more  vital  and  human  than  a  walking 
book  or  an  official  gown  to  contend  with.  He  had  a  pecu- 
liar skill  in  setting  the  troubled  and  doubting  in  a  posi- 
tion to  see  the  light  which  their  fears  had  hidden  from 
their  eyes.  In  his  quick  and  unceremonial  adaptation  to 
all  times  and  persons  and  circumstances,  he  was  like  the 
divine  preacher,  who  proclaimed  the  word  of  life  in  the 
synagogue  and  by  the  sea-side;  in  the  streets,  on  the 
mountains  and  in  desert  places ;  in  private  homes,  in  the 
marts  of  business,  and  by  the  way-side  ;  and  always  speak- 
ing with  equal  earnestness  and  propriety,  whether  con- 
versing with  a  single  listener  or  addressing  assembled 
thousands. 

"  Dr.  Brainerd  judged  wisely  what  he  could  do,  and  he  did 
it  well.  He  chose  the  place  and  mode  of  action  in  which  his 
powers  could  work  most  easily,  and  he  did  the  task  the 
better  and  with  the  less  strain  and  friction,  because  he  had 
discretion  and  self-command  enough  to  give  his  strength  to 
that  which  he  could  do  best.  Rejoicing  that  others  pos- 
sessed endowments  and  opportunities  not  given  to  him,  he 


PUBLIC  AND   PRIVATE   TRIBUTES.  407 

improved  his  own  proper  gift  so  well  as  to  take  a  front 
rank  with  all  who  live  to  instruct  and  improve  mankind. 
The  world  loses  much  talent  and  effort  for  good,  just 
because  many  fail  to  find  the  secret  of  their  greatest 
strength,  or,  having  found  it,  they  are  not  content  to  do 
that  which  they  can  do  best.  And  hence  we  have  many 
unmanly  complaints  from  those,  who  excuse  themselves 
for  failure,  by  saying  that,  in  some  other  position  or  pro- 
fession, they  could  easily  have  become  greater  and  better 
men. 

"  Dr.  Brainerd  was  himself  greater  than  his  best  per- 
formance. However  well  he  may  have  acquitted  himself 
on  any  occasion,  he  left  the  impression  that  he  had  more 
forces  in  reserve  than  he  had  brought  into  the  field  of  ac- 
tion. No  one  act  or  service  of  his  seemed  to  have  ex 
hausted  his  capacity  to  do  more  and  better.  This  impres- 
sion was  undoubtedly  due  to  the  force  of  character  by 
which  he  controlled  the  convictions  and  stimulated  the 
expectations  of  others,  whenever  they  came  under  the  in- 
fluence of  his  clear  mind  and  commanding  will.  No  written 
composition,  no  reported  speech  of  his,  no  partial  estimates 
of  friends  even,  could  have  told  a  stranger  how  much  of  a 
man  he  was  in  his  living  presence,  and  in  his  power  to 
quicken  and  control  other  minds.  He  was  not  unmanned 
or  paralyzed  by  great  responsibilities,  or  unexpected  cir- 
cumstances, or  by  the  overpowering  influence  of  strong 
character  and  great  reputation  in  others.  He  rose  to  the 
demand  of  the  occasion,  and  he  met  it  easily,  by  looking 
through  the  glare  and  parade  and  mystery  directh^  to  the 
simple  and  practical  elements  of  any  question  or  duty.  He 
could  separate  the  practical  and  sure  from  the  mystical 
and  uncertain,  and  he  would  never  allow  the  dreams  and 
subtleties  of  idle  speculation  to  impair  the  force  of  settled 
opinions  and  daily  duties.  In  climbing  up  the  steep  of 
the  heavenly  hill,  he  chose  to  keep  the  tried  and  safe  path, 


408        l^IFE   OF  REV.  THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

and  he  was  not  embarrassed  or  hindered  in  his  course,  be- 
cause, when  he  looked  over  the  precipice,  he  could  not  see 
the  bottom  of  the  abyss,  or,  when  he  looked  up  he  could 
not  measure  the  whole  length  of  the  path  by  which  he  was 
journeying.  And  he  showed  his  peculiar  manliness  and 
force  of  character,  by  imparting  to  others  the  feeling  of 
safety  and  self-possession  which  steadied  his  own  mind. 

"  Dr.  Brainerd  dwelt  upon  the  plain  and  practical  ele- 
ments of  truth.  He  believed  that  the  gospel  is  its  own 
best  witness,  and  that  the  preacher  should  show  his  fitness 
for  his  work  by  presenting  truth  in  such  a  form  as  to  be 
understood  and  appreciated  by  all  candid  and  attentive 
listeners.  lie  believed  that  the  most  essential  truths  are 
most  easily  understood,  and  that  the  clear  and  distinctive 
doctrines  of  the  gospel  are  so  immeasurably  important 
that  the  minister  of  Christ  can  have  little  time  for  the  em- 
bellishments of  fancy,  or  the  mists  of  speculation.  He 
made  people  understand  that  he  had  opinions  and  princi- 
ples, and  good  reasons  for  holding  them,  and  that  when 
he  spoke,  it  was  not  simply  to  supply  a  pleasant  enter- 
tainment for  the  hour,  but  to  show  that  all  have  something 
infinitely  important  both  to  believe  and  to  do.  He  put 
forth  his  appeals  and  instructions  in  such  clear,  practical, 
every-day  forms  that  common  minds  grasped  the  full  scope 
of  his  meaning,  and  the  careless  and  the  caviling  were 
made  to  feel  that  in  opposing  or  neglecting  tlie  claims  of 
religion,  they  must  slight  the  lessons  of  their  own  experi- 
ence and  the  deepest  wants  of  their  own  nature.  He 
clothed  the  great  spiritual  truths  of  divine  revelation  in 
such  a  human  and  homelike  dress  that  they  could  be  re- 
ceived and  recognized  in  the  busy  street  as  well  as  in  the 
sanctuary. 

"  Dr.  Brainerd  had  full  faith  in  the  capacity  of  the  gospel 
to  supply  the  chief  elements  of  progress,  in  all  states  of 
human  societv,  and  to  answer  all  forms  of  unbelief     He 


PUBLIC  AND   PRIVATE   TRIBUTES.  409 

was  not  afraid  that  any  real  discoveries  in  science  would 
impair  the  authority  of  divine  revelation.  If  the  philoso- 
phers do  not  ag-ree  with  Moses,  it  will  be  found  in  the  end 
to  be  only  the  worse  for  the  philosophers,  not  to  the  dis- 
credit of  Moses.  And  he  was  not  very  much  troubled  if 
ingenious  and  skeptical  men  could  devise  objections, 
which,  for  a  time,  seemed  hard  to  answer.  Every  new 
phase  of  unbelief  will  have  its  day,  but  the  word  of  the 
Lord  endureth  forever.  And  Dr.  Brainerd  kept  himself 
up  abreast  of  all  the  progress  of  the  age,  by  keeping 
himself  in  sympathy  with  that  revealed  truth,  which  is 
the  chief  element  of  progress  in  all  ages.  He  fully  be- 
lieved in  the  power  of  Christianity  to  sustain  itself  against 
the  most  severe  and  subtle  skepticism,  and  to  vindicate  its 
divine  origin,  both  by  reasoning  and  by  experiment,  before 
all  the  world. 

"Dr.  Brainerd  could  advance  with  the  real  advance  of 
the  age,  and  he  could  adapt  himself  easily  to  the  changing 
circumstances  of  society  and  the  world.  He  kept  even 
pace  with  the  time,  and  refused  to  grow  old  in  feeling  and 
spirit,  while  the  years  of  toil  and  suffering  were  growing 
heavy  upon  his  shoulders.  He. never  fell  into  the  habit 
of  thinking  that  truth  and  virtue  were  fast  leaving  the 
earth,  that  all  changes  were  for  the  worse,  and  that  things 
were  a  great  deal  better  in  the  world  when  he  was  young. 
He  always  liked  to  class  himself  among  the  young  men, 
and  he  was  sure  to  show  so  much  buoyancy,  hopefulness, 
and  adaptation,  as  to  make  the  young  men  feel  at  home 
in  his  company. 

"  He  respected  the  wisdom,  the  virtue,  and  precedents 
of  the  past,  and  yet  he  felt  called  upon  to  use  them  all,  in 
attaining  a  sounder  wisdom  and  loftier  virtue. 

"  When  the  form  or  issue  of  great  questions  of  principle 
or  duty  changed,  he  was  quick  to  meet  the  new  demand. 
He  was  not  the  man  to  spend  his  strength  in  figiiting  over 

36* 


410        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

an  old  battle,  when  there  was  no  longer  any  demand  for 
the  conflict. 

"  Dr.  Brainerd  was  truly  and  conscientiously  denomina- 
tional in  his  principles  and  preferences,  and  yet  he  was 
liberal  and  conciliatory  toward  all.  We  had  no  truer  man 
to  rely  upon,  when  the  order,  the  doctrine,  the  good  name, 
and  the  associated  interests  of  our  own  churches  were  to 
be  maintained ;  and  when  the  fit  occasion  came  to  forget 
all  denominational  differences,  and  unite  in  common  efforts 
and  supplications  for  the  growth  and  harmony  of  all 
churches  alike,  none  could  cause  all  hearts  to  flow  forth  in 
common  sympathies  and  efforts  more  happily  than  he.  No 
minister  in  the  city  had  a  larger  personal  acquaintance 
with  ministers  and  laymen  outside  of  his  own  denomina- 
tion, and  none  would  have  received  a  more  ready  welcome 
to  other  pulpits  ;  no  one  would  have  been  more  sure  to 
speak  kindly  and  acceptable  words,  whatever  sect  or  class 
of  Christians  he  might  address.  And  yet  he  was  wise 
and  hearty  in  giving  the  great  strength  of  his  life  and 
labor  to  the  upbuilding  of  his  own  denomination.  It  is 
for  the  interest  of  the  one  universal  church  that  every 
branch  shall  be  united  and  strong,  and  any  minister's  life 
will  be  worth  most  to  the  cause  of  Christ  when  he  works 
most  freely  and  earnestly  in  the  way  of  his  own  choice, 
and  with  such  forms  and  instrumentalities  as  he  can  use 
best.  Christianity  is  scandalized  in  the  eyes  of  the  world, 
not  by  the  existence  of  different  denominations,  but  by  the 
unchristian  mode  in  which  they  treat  each  other. 

"  Dr.  Brainerd  labored  cheerfully  and  uncomplainingly 
for  a  whole  generation  in  his  chosen  profession,  and  found 
in  the  work  of  the  ministry  his  exceeding  great  reward. 
He  expressed  no  regret  that  he  had  abandoned  other  pur- 
suits, or  that  he  saw  others  making  themselves  rich,  while 
he,  with  greater  effort,  ability,  and  sacrifice,  must  live  and 
die  poor.     He  felt  rich  in  his  own  heart  and  life  if  he  could 


PUBLIC  AND   PRIVATE  TRIBUTES.  411 

lead  others  to  lay  up  for  theinselvos  imperishable  treasures 
in  heaven.  In  thirty  years'  time  he  passed  through  many 
vicissitudes  of  trial,  difficulty,  and  discouragement,  as  well 
as  of  toil,  hope,  and  success  ;  but,  in  them  all,  he  bore 
himself  honorably  and  bravely,  and,  in  the  darkest  days, 
he  had  grace  given  him  for  his  own  necessities,  and  a  re- 
serve of  fiiith  and  cheerfulness  with  which  to  strengthen 
his  brethren.  He  bore  up  under  great  bodily  infirmities, 
and  worked  on  hopefully  and  successfully,  while  daily  ex- 
pecting the  end,  anxious  only  to  be  found  at  his  post  when 
the  Master  came.  His  unsteady  hand  and  faltering  step 
indicated  no  abatement  of  high  purpose  and  firm  resolu- 
tion to  carry  his  burden  till  the  Master  bid  him  lay  it 
down.  And  so  he  went  on  his  way,  bearing  his  own  sor- 
rows lightly,  that  he  might  comfort  others  in  their  afflic- 
tion ;  living  upon  a  bare  competence,  that  he  might  enrich 
others  with  the  resources  of  his  gifted  mind  and  chastened 
heart;  forgetting  his  own  discouragements,  that  he  might 
cheer  others  in  their  despondency ;  hoping  all  things,  be- 
lieving all  things,  enduring^ll  things,  if  by  any  means  he 
might  save  some." 

By  Rev.  J.  W.  Mears,  D.D. 

"AVith  startling  suddenness  came  the  telegraphic  an- 
nouncement of  the  death  of  the  beloved  and  venerated  pas- 
tor of  Old  Pine  Street  Church,  at  Scranton,  on  Wednesday 
morning  of  last  week.  Dr.  Brainerd  had  been  so  long  ail- 
ing, and  had  for  so  many  years  contrived  to  get  through 
a  great  amount  of  parochial  and  public  duty  without  any 
alarming  increase  in  his  unfavorable  symptoms,  that  we 
Avere  in  a  manner  used  to  them,  and  ceased  to  fear  any  speedy 
culmination  of  them  in  death.  Only  a  day  or  two,  indeed, 
before  he  died,  he  wrote  in  an  animated  strain,  in  view  of 
the  probable  early  resumption  of  his  duties  with  increased 
health  and  prospect  of  usefulness.     All,  therefore,  but  per- 


412        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERP,  D.D. 

haps  the  few  who  had  more  carefully  considered  the  state 
of  his  health,  were  greatly  shocked  by  the  announcement 
that,  after  passing  Tuesday  with  no  unusual  symptoms,  and 
retiring  comfortably  to  rest  at  night,  he  gave  forth  his  life 
in  one  single,  deep  sigh,  at  one  o'clock  of  the  following 
morning. 

"  With  such  a  speedy,  peaceful,  painless  exit,  well  closed 
a  life  full  of  years,  of  high  usefulness,  of  ripe  Christian 
character,  of  distinguished  ministerial  success,  and  crowned 
with  well-merited  honors.  For  us  his  death  came  all  too 
soon.  We  would  not  have  put  it  earlier  than  threescore 
and  ten  at  the  soonest.  For  him,  doubtless,  in  the  order- 
ing of  Providence,  it  came  at  precisely  the  most  appro- 
priate moment.  'All  things  shall  work  together  for  good 
to  them  that  love  him.'  It  is  certain  that  Dr.  Brainerd's 
career  has  been  steadily  upward,  both  in  the  measure  of 
his  usefulness  and  his  honor.  He  dies  with  nothing  to 
dim  the  luster  of  the  name  he  leaves  with  his  church  and 
his  family.  His  star  was  yet  in  the  ascendant  when  its 
light  was  quenched,  and  it  \^11  ever  shine  full-orbed  in 
our  memories. 

"Especially  in  the  last  five  or  six  years  of  his  life  has 
the  reputation  of  Dr.  Brainerd  been  gaining  most  rapidly 
among  his  fellow-men.  With  the  first  mutterings  of  rebel- 
lion he  took  his  stand  for  the  maintenance  of  the  laws  and 
for  the  preservation  of  the  national  life  and  unity,  and 
never  swerved  from  it  for  a  moment  to  the  end.  He  pre- 
served and  cherished  the  patriotic  associations  of  Old  Pine 
Street  Church,  and  greatly  enhanced  their  luster.  Dr. 
Brainerd  and  Old  Pine  Street  Church  became  the  most 
conspicuous  among  the  loyal  agencies  in  our  city  outside 
of  the  great  public  organizations.  They  were  a  rock  of 
strength  and  a  never-failing  spring  of  encouragement  to 
loyal  men  and  enterprises.  In  sermons  and  prayers,  in 
addresses,  speeches,  and  appeals,  the  manly  voice  of  Dr. 


PUBLIC  AND  PRIVATE   TRIBUTES.  413 

Brainerd  lias  everywhere  been  heard  cheering  the  de- 
spondent, stimulating  to  nobler  exertions  the  patriotic, 
piercing  to  the  very  heart  the  false  arguments  of  the  dis- 
loyal, silencing  cavils,  and  kindling  fresh  enthusiasm  for 
the  national  cause  in  every  breast.  Few  men  showed  a 
clearer  judgment  and  a  better  appreciation  of  the  high 
moral  principles  at  stake  in  the  conflict.  Few  rejoiced 
more  heartily  at  the  revival  of  national  life  in  the  masses 
of  the  North,  and  at  the  substitution  of  a  martyr  zeal  for 
country  and  liberty  in  place  of  the  low  and  groveling.aims 
which  seemed  to  have  gained  almost  exclusive  control 
over  the  American  mind. 

"  Dr.  Brainerd  rejoiced  greatly  and  devoutly  in  the  fact  of 
emancipation  as  one  of  the  greatest  boons  of  the  war.  He 
never  for  a  moment  lost  his  intense  interest  in  the  national 
cause,  or  abated  a  jot  of  his  earnest  efforts  for  its  suc- 
cess. He  ever  cherished  the  most  profound  confidence  in 
the  uprightness  and  sagacity  of  Abraham  Lincoln,  whom, 
indeed,  he  resembled  in  his  shrewd  observation  of  men 
and  his  accurate  estimate  of  public  opinion. 

"The  honor  in  which  Dr.  Brainerd  was  held  by  his  loyal 
fellow-citizens  was  shown  in  his  election  as  a  member  of 
the  Union  League  almost  at  its  very  organization,  and  by 
the  prominent  position  usually  assigned  him  in  the  religious 
portion  of  the  public  services  held  by  that  and  other  bodies 
of  our  citizens  during  and  since  the  war.  No  hour  of  his 
life  could  have  been  more  glad  or  more  solemn  than  when 
he  was  thus  called  to  lead  the  devotions  of  the  people  after 
the  victory  of  Gettysburg.  A  throng  of  ten  or  twenty 
thousand  people  blocked  the  streets  before  him.  The  fire 
companies  with  their  equipages  had,  by  a  spontaneous  im- 
pulse, turned  out  to  celebrate  the  occasion.  Far  above  in 
the  steeple,  a  band  was  wafting  the  strains  of  'Old  Hun- 
dred '  to  the  skies,  and  there,  standing  on  the  sacred  steps  of 
Independence  Hall,  amid  the  indescribable  raptures  of  that 


414        LIFE   OF  REV.  THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

hour  of  great  deliverance,  lie  gave  suitable  expression  to 
the  sentiments  of  a  grateful  people.  He  has  also  been 
closely  identified  with  the  Union  Volunteer  Refreshment 
Saloon,  and  with  various  movements,  great  and"  small,  for 
the  relief  of  our  suffering  soldiers  in  the  hospitals  and  on 
the  field.  When  the  battle  of  Gettysburg  was  imminent, 
and  when  sore  distress  darkened  many  of  the  faces  of  our 
citizens,  Dr.  Brainerd,  nearly  sixty  years  old,  marched 
beside  a  recruiting  officer  to  the  drum  and  fife,  aiding  to 
gather  up  recruits  for  the  emergency.  More  than  all,  he 
gave  his  only  son,  Thomas,  to  the  service  of  his  country, 
and  had  the  satisfaction  to  see  him  rise  to  honor  in  his  pro- 
fession, and  return  in  entire  safety  with  the  conquering 
armies  of  the  nation  before  he  died.  And  perhaps  no  act 
of  his  life  caused  him  greater  pleasure  than  the  erection,  in 
the  vestibule  of  his  church,  of  the  mural  tablet  to  the 
memory  of  the  men  of  his  congregation  who  fell  in  the  war. 
It  seemed  to  complete  his  patriotic  record  and  to  blend  it 
beautifully  with  that  of  his  people. 

"With  such  a  bright,  undimmed  record  as  a  patriot,  he 
passed  away.  No  rack  of  a  cloud  will  ever  rest  upon  his 
memory  in  this  high  regard.  His  example  Avill  live  imper- 
ishably,  and  will  instruct  and  inspire  the  youth  and  the 
clergy  and  the  people  of  the  land,  for  generations  to  come. 
No  cold  suspicion,  no  heartless  cavil,  no  momentary 
unfaithfulness  to  the  high  interests  of  nationality  and 
of  liberty  will  weaken  its  power  or  darken  its  perfect 
beauty. 

"  Dr.  Brainerd  had  never  seemed  to  court  literary  distinc- 
tion. His  editorial  career  in  Cincinnati,  many  years  ago, 
was,  indeed,  a  great  success.  But  since  that  time  he  has 
been  content  with  such  fugitive  issues  as  are  consonant 
with  burdensome  pastoral  duties,  until  he  undertook  the 
great  work  of  his  life,  the  Life  of  his  kinsman,  John  Brai- 
nerd.   That  work,  after  years  of  pains  taking  toil,  he  lived 


PUBLIC  AND   PRIVATE   TRIBUTES.  415 

to  complete,  and  to  see  welcomed  with  unanimous  and 
even  enthusiastic  approval  by  the  religious  journals  of 
all  denominations,  by  our  daily  press,  and  by  many  critics 
of  the  old  world.  Its  character,  as  a  faithful  record  of  a 
pure,  devoted,  and  noble  life,  rescued  from  obscurity,  and 
preserved  among  the  choicest  treasures  of  the  Christian 
Church,  suffered  to  speak  its  own  story  and  only  enlarged 
with  skillful  touches  here  and  there  to  serve  as  the  setting 
to  the  diamond — this  work  insured  him  a  literary  immor- 
tality as  certain,  at  least  in  the  esteem  of  the  church,  as 
that  of  David  and  John  Brainerd  themselves.  He  has 
bound  his  name  up  in  a  trio  with  theirs,  which  time  will 
not  be  able  to  dissolve. 

"Dr.  Brainerd  had  received  the  highest  honors  the 
church  of  his  choice  could  bestow.  In  the  General  As- 
sembly of  1804,  he  was  chosen  Moderator,  and  performed 
his  duties  with  urbanity,  skill,  and  success  that  gave  un- 
mingled  satisfaction  and  delight.  The  Assembly  of  lb 66 
bestowed  upon  him  the  honor  of  chairmanship  of  its  Com- 
mittee on  Reunion.  In  that  position,  without  any  of  the 
discomfort  of  failure,  he  died,  being  translated  to  a  blessed 
region,  where,  without  any  preliminary  measures,  reunion 
is  universal,  without  mistrust,  without  smothered  jeal- 
ousies, without  fear  of  renewed  contention  and  division. 

"  Thus  ripe  in  honors  from  the  church  and  his  fellow- 
citizens,  at  the  climax  of  his  usefulness,  he  ceased  to  be 
among  us.  He  feared  much  that  it  might  be  otherwise. 
He  dreaded  an  old  age  of  prolonged  infirmity,  incapacity, 
and  dependence.  He  loved  the  cheerful,  sunny  side  of  life, 
and  he  made  life  such  wherever  his  influence  was.  He 
delighted  in  the  gambols  and  the  natural  gracefulness  of 
children,  and  he  freshened  his  own  life  by  drinking  at  the 
fountain  of  their  pure  joys  and  sympathies.  And  it  is 
touching  to  think  that  the  deep  tenderness  of  a  grandfather's 
attachment  to  his  children's  children,  rent  from  him  one  after 


416        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

another  by  death,  helped  to  snap  the  cord  of  his  own  life, 
and  so  bore  him  over  that  dreary  period  of  infirmity  which 
he  dreaded,  and  landed  him  at  once,  from  a  life  which  he 
had  ever  kept  fresh  and  youthful,  into  the  life  of  eternal 
youth  beyond  ;  for  a  marked  feature  of  Dr.  Brainerd's  life 
was  his  refusal  to  grow  mentally,  morally,  socially,  and 
theologically  old. 

"  Fixed  on  great  principles  of  Scripture  and  Calvin- 
istic  divinity,  Dr.  Brainerd  had  no  cowardly  dread  of  any- 
thing, simply  because  it  was  new.  He  kept  himself  fully 
abreast  of  current  opinion  in  his  age.  He  studied  men  ; 
he  identified  himself  heartily  with  the  interests  and  feelings 
of  the  generation  of  youth  grown  up  around  him.  They 
found  in  him  one  who  wonderfully  understood  and  sym- 
pathized with  them,  and  who  drew  them  to  him  by  an  un- 
common and  a  noble  Christian  magnetism.  His  name  was 
the  bond  of  union  to  the  widely-scattered  congregation  of 
Pine  Street  Church,  and  nothing  can  be  so  powerful  as  his 
memory  to  hold  them  together,  now  that  he  has  gone.  His 
name  was  a  tower  of  strength  to  every  enterprise  to  which 
he  gave  it,  and  he  gave  it  with  such  sagacity  that  it  was 
almost  a  sure  guarantee  of  success.  His  own  parochial 
life  was  one  long  success.  A  steady  average  of  about 
forty  additions,  on  profession,  per  annum,  marked  his  pas- 
torate in  Pine  Street  Clmrch.  And  no  numbers  can 
adequately  portray  the  exuberant  life  and  the  ceaseless 
activity  with  which,  under  God,  he  has  been  able  to  in- 
spire its  members.  Although  it  is  one  of  the  old  '  down- 
town' churches  of  the  city,  remote  from  the  new  and 
popular  districts,  its  meetings  are  crowded  with  promising 
young  people,  the  most  hopeful  elements  of  a  congrega- 
tion. There  is  the  utmost  freedom,  combined  with  de- 
corum, in  taking  part  in  meetings  for  prayer  and  confer- 
ence. The  crowded  Sunday-night  meetings,  from  week  to 
week,  present  all  the  better  features  of  a  revival  prayer- 


rUBLIC  AND   PRIVATE   TRIBUTES.  417 

meeting;  and  the  Braincrd  Mission  Chapel,  a  large  build- 
ing in  Greenwich  Street,  put  up  by  members  of  his  con- 
gregation, at  an  expense  of  twelve  thousand  dollars,  and 
manned  by  the  young  people  of  the  church,  proves  the 
munificence  and  the  zeal  of  '  Old  Pine  Street.' 

"  It  was  the  money,  too,  of  Old  Pine  Street  which  re- 
stored, when  on  the  verge  of  ruin,  the  German  Street 
Church,  which  paid  its  debt  and  completed  its  house  of 
worship,  at  an  expense  of  fifteen  or  twenty  thousand  dol- 
lars. These  are  only  recent  proofs  of  the  beneficent  influ- 
ence exerted  from  this  vigorous  center. 

"As  a  man  of  the  people.  Dr.  Brainerd  was  deeply  in- 
terested in  all  efforts  to  reach  the  masses  with  the  gospel. 
He  was  an  earnest  advocate  of  '  open-air  preaching,' and 
himself  had  practiced  it  on  many  occasions.  He  was 
associated  with  Kev.  James  Patterson  in  those  famous 
out-door  efforts  which  laid  the  foundation  of  the  church  in 
the  Northern  Liberties.  And  in  later  days,  in  spite  of 
increasing  bodily  infirmities,  he  continued  the  practice. 
He  frequently  used  a  butcher's  block  in  one  of  the  market- 
houses  for  a  pulpit,  to  which,  however,  a  support  had  to 
be  attached  to  steady  him  during  the  discourse.  Nervous 
as  he  was,  the  surroundings  were  of  no  consequence  to 
him,  provided  he  had  opportunity  to  proclaim  the  un- 
searchable riches  of  Christ  to  his  fellow-men.  One  of  his 
latest  declarations  on  the  subject  of  open-air  preaching, 
made  in  a  discussion  in  the  Pastors'  Association,  was  to 
the  effect  that  the  practice  would  increase  fivefold  the 
pulpit  efficiency  of  the  brethren  if  they  would  engage 
in  it. 

"A  notice  of  Dr.  Brainerd  would  be  unpardonably  de- 
fective which  omitted  to  mention  his  remarkable  power  as 
an  extempore  speaker.  Educated  for  the  law,  he  seemed 
ever  to  retain  the  readiness  of  speech  so  needful  to  that 
profession.     He  was  greatest  as  a  speaker  when  called  on, 

36 


418        l^IFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

often  without  apparent  premeditation,  to  meet  some  special 
occasion — to  take  the  place,  which,  alas !  none  as  he  could 
fill,  at  the  grave-side  of  departed  worth  aud  eminence  ;  to 
stimulate  to  some  new  patriotic  effort ;  to  express  the  joy 
of  the  people  at  the  dedication  of  a  new  house  of  worship ; 
or  to  give  direction  to  their  thoughts  in  great  public  prayer- 
meetings.  There  was  a  freshness,  a  manliness,  a  strength 
of  common  sense,  a  singular  shrewdness  and  penetration, 
which  put  the  subject  in  a  new  and  powerful  light.  En- 
dowed with  retentive  memory  and  excellent  powers  of  ob- 
servation, he  had  a  store  of  capital  illustrations,  Avhich  he 
had  wonderful  skill  in  bringing  in  precisely  at  the  right 
time  and  place.  Over  his  speeches  there  was  a  constant 
play  of  native  wit,  of  good  humor,  and  of  winning  geni- 
alit}^  that  gave  them  a  peculiar  charm.  He  never  seemed 
to  be  exhausted  ;  he  always  had  something  new,  some- 
thing more  appropriate  to  the  special  occasion  than  any- 
thing he  had  ever  said  before,  lie  was  never  common- 
place, yet  never  far-fetched.  Everywhere  the  people 
welcomed  him,  everywhere  they  expected  edification  and 
stimulus  from  his  words,  and  rarely  were  they  disap- 
pointed. At  the  Jayne's  Hall  monster  prayer-meeting,  in 
1858,  where  thousands  met  every  day  for  weeks,  he  was 
one  of  the  few  ministers  Avho  knew  how  to  meet  and  use 
those  marvelous  and  somewhat  trying  scenes  to  the  high- 
est spiritual  profit.  A  frequent,  he  was  ever  a  most  wel- 
come speaker  at  those  meetings,  and  was  as  calm,  as  ready, 
and  as  felicitous  in  his  remarks  as  in  the  most  familiar 
scenes.  There  the  heart  of  the  multitude  was  bared  as, 
perhaps,  it  has  never  been  since,  and  it  was  because  Dr. 
Brainerd's  heart  was  so  large,  and  so  warm,  and  so  thor- 
oughly the  people's  that  he  found  himself  so  ready,  so 
much  at  home,  so  marvelously  adapted  to  the  occasion. 

"A  man  of  somewhat  similar  character  and  adaptedness, 
who  contributed  no  small  share  himself  to  the  noonday 


PUBLIC  AND   PRIVATE   TRIBUTES.  419 

and  other  prayer-meetings ;  a  man  of  most  tender  and  de- 
voted spirit,  toward  whom  Dr.  Brainerd  was  drawn  by 
unusual  ties  of  Christian  affection  ;  like  himself,  one  of 
the  oldest  pastors  of  our  city  churches,  has  gone  to  heaven 
but  a  few  weeks  before  him  ; — great,  often,  in  anticipation 
of  heaven,  was  the  joy  of  meeting  in  religious  services, 
between  Dr.  Brainerd  and  Dr.  Kennard.  Who  shall 
attempt  to  describe  the  joy  with  which,  after  so  short  a 
separation,  they  met  to  renew  their  joint  worship  in 
heaven  ?  Who  shall  draw  the  lines  of  their  features — 
noble  even  on  earth,  but  glorified  above?  Who,  rather, 
shall  not  look  forward  with  longing  to  join  the  blcs.sed 
company  and  enjoy  those  raptures  of  which  our  happiest 
and  most  elevated  scenes  of  devotion,  under  their  leader- 
ship, were  but  faint  anticipations  ? 

"  When  almost  every  old  citizen  of  a  great  city,  and 
almost  every  member  and  minister  of  a  large  church  feels 
stricken  and  bereaved  by  a  providential  event,  as  they  do 
in  the  death  of  Dr.  Brainerd,  it  seems  idle  for  any  one  in- 
dividual to  parade  his  grief  as  special,  or  to  demand  spe- 
cial sympathy  for  the  loss  as  his  own.  Yet  we  cannot 
refrain  from  offering  a  wreath  of  personal  homage  to  the 
memory  of  one  who  has  been  our  warm  and  fast  friend 
almost  since  we  knew  him  ;  who  has  encouraged  us  in  all 
our  undertakings  by  his  cheering  words  and  fraternal  acts; 
and  who  has  especially  stood  by  us  in  the  trying  and  re- 
sponsible duties  of  the  editorial  office.  With  those,  the 
earlier  associations  of  his  career  prepared  him  to  sympa- 
thize, while  his  native  shrewdness  and  quickness  of  wit 
and  penetration,  his  unflagging  interest  in  all  the  great 
movements  of  the  time,  and  especially  his  loyalty  to  the 
interests  of  Christ's  cause  and  of  the  denomination,  fully 
qualified  him  as  an  adviser,  and  as  such  he  was  a  frequent 
and  the  most  welcome  visitor  in  the  office  of  this  paper. 
Without  any  attitude  of  officiousness  or  solemn  assump- 


420        J^IFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

tion  of  superiority,  or  even  any  great  amount  of  specific 
advice,  it  was  rather  the  magnetic  influence  of  contact  with 
a  man  of  such  large  sympathies  and  such  ennobling  views, 
such  a  warm  and  generous  nature,  that  we  felt  and  wel- 
comed as  a  powerful  stimulus,  and  that  w^e  shall  most 
sadly  miss.  We  differed  at  times — occasionally  our  views 
were  wide  apart ;  but  time  and  a  closer  interchange  almost 
invariably  drew  us  together,  and  our  intimacy  in  the  edi- 
torial sanctum  was  unbroken  to  the  last, 

"  We  have,  therefore,  our  owu  tear  of  regret  to  shed  apart 
from  the  crowd ;  our  own  tribute  to  lay  upon  his  tomb; 
our  own  memory  of  individual  loss  to  deplore  in  his  sud- 
den departure." 

Death  of  Bev.  Dr.  Brainerd.    By  Bev.  Henry  M.  Field,  D.D.^ 

"  The  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  is  called 
to  mourn  the  loss  of  one  of  its  very  best  men — a  wise  coun- 
selor, a  faithful  preacher  and  pastor — one  who  was  truly  a 
man  of  God.  With  surprise  and  grief  we  learned  on  Thurs- 
day last  that  our  honored  friend  and  brother.  Rev.  Thomas 
"Brainerd,  D.D.,  of  Philadelphia,  had  ceased  from  among 
men  on  earth.  Unexpectedly,  as  always,  and  suddenly, 
as  usual  in  cases  of  apoplexy,  he  ended  his  days  at  Scran- 
ton,  Pa.,  on  the  night  of  Tuesda}^  the  21st  inst.,  in  the 
s'xty-third  year  of  his  age. 

"  It  is  but  the  other  day  that  we  saw  it  announced  that 
he  was  to  bear  a  conspicuous  part  in  a  literary  festival  at 
'  the  Forks  of  Delaware,'  a  locality  made  memorable  in  the 
annals  of  missionary  enterprise  by  the  arduous  and  self- 
denying  labors  of  his  illustrious  kinsman  David  Brainerd. 
Not  many  months  ago  we  congratulated  the  church  that 
he  had  conferred  a  boon  upon  it,  in  gathering  up  the  ex- 
tant memorials  of  Rev.  John  Brainerd,  whom  David,  his 

*  Editor  of  The  Evangelist. 


PUBLIC  AND   PRIVATE   TRIBUTES.  421 

brother,  loved  'the  best  of  any  creature  living',' and  on 
whom  he  bestowed  his  missionary  mantle. 

"And  now  the  biographer  of  these  sainted  men  is  him- 
self numbered  with  them.  He  has  gone  to  return  no 
more.  The  chair  at  the  social  board  and  household  altar 
is  vacant.  The  sacred  desk  where  he  ministered  so  long 
and  so  faithfully,  even  at  times  when  he  could  not  stand, 
is  draped  in  sable.  The  voice  that  spoke  in  such  tones  of 
sweet  persuasion  for  his  Master,  is  now  silent  in  death. 
All  too  soon  for  the  favored  flock  over  which  he  watched 
so  long,  and  which  he  fed  with  a  shepherd's  care;  and 
which  in  turn  looked  up  to  him  with  perfect  confidence 
and  trust ;  all  too  soon  for  the  reverend  members  of  the 
Pastoral  Association,  with  which  he  had  been  identified 
from  the  first,  and  by  which  he  was  regarded  with  min- 
gled respect  and  affection,  as  a  true  friend  and  brother ; 
too  soon,  so  in  our  blindness  it  seems  to  us,  for  the  inter- 
ests of  learning,  morality,  philanthropy,  and  religion,  he 
is  taken  from  the  labors  of  earth  to  the  rest  and  rewards 
of  heaven. 

"  The  deceased  was  a  man  of  rare  faculties,  a  Christian 
of  ripe  experience,  a  minister  of  peculiar  gifts  and  graces. 
He  came  of  a  noble  stock.  He  was  a  Puritan  of  the  Puri- 
tans— a  son  of  an  honored  mother — a  child  of  Connecticut, 
of  which  Bancroft  has  said,  '  There  is  no  State  in  the 
Union,  and  I  know  not  any  in  the  world,  in  whose  early 
history,  if  I  were  a  citizen,  I  could  find  more  of  which  to 
be  proud,  and  less  that  I  should  wish  to  blot.'  Haddam, 
on  the  Connecticut  River,  was  the  home  of  the  family. 
They  that  are  curious  in  genealogy  may  learn  his  lineage 
in  Farmer,  Savage,  and  H  in  man  ;  how  nearly  also  he  was 
related  to  the  poet,  John  G.  C.  Brainerd.  They  were  of 
th6  same  stock,  and  not  unlike  in  temperament. 

"Thomas  Brainerd  was  born  June  17th,  1804,  the  29th 
anniversary  of  the   battle  of   Bunker   Hill.     He  studied 

36* 


422        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

theology  at  Andover.  At  the  seminary  he  was  recognized 
as  a  student  of  uncommon  excellence  and  promise;  a 
young  man  of  positive  opinions,  carefully  formed,  and  not 
backward  when  occasion  offered  to  give  them  expression  ; 
yet,  a  most  kind-hearted  brother,  of  great  good  humor, 
and  the  life  of  every  circle.  All  who  knew  him  then  were 
sure  that  he  would  be  heard  from  in  after-years. 

"  Having  finished  his  theological  cour.se  at  Andover,  in 
September,  1831,  and  received  ordination  at  the  hands  of 
the  Third  Presbytery  of  New  York,  early  in  October,  he 
proceeded  to  the  West,  prompted  by  an  ardent  zeal  for  the 
extension  of  Christ's  kingdom  in  the  frontier  States. 
Providence  directed  him  to  Cincinnati,  then  just  emerging 
into  greatness  as  the  Queen  City  of  the  West.  Here  he 
found  a  promising  sphere  of  missionary  service,  in  con- 
nection with  a  growing  settlement,  called  Fulton,  a  short 
distance  from  the  city  up  the  river,  in  the  immediate 
vicinity  of  Walnut  Hills.  It  was  soon  found  that  he  was 
just  the  man  to  undertake  the  work  of  editing  the  Weekly 
Journal,  conducted  in  the  interests  of  our  church  in  that 
city,  of  which  the  present  Christian  Herald  is  the  lineal 
successor. 

"  It  was  a  time  of  great  agitation.  The  Home  Mission- 
ary cause  was  passing  through  a  serious  conflict.  The 
newly-founded  theological  seminary,  under  the  lead  of  Dr. 
Lyman  Beecher,  was  involved,  for  a  time,  in  great  trouble. 
Dr.  Beecher,  as  the  representative  of  what  was  called 
'  the  New  School,'  was  assailed  with  unrelenting  opposi- 
tion, and  no  little  virulence.  Throughout  this  season,  the 
young  editor  did  effective  battle  for  the  truth,  and  made 
his  paper  a  power  in  the  land.  His  name  has  ever  since 
been  cherished  among  the  friends  of  Lane  Seminary,  and 
through  all  that  section  of  the  church,  as  one  of  pleasant 
and  grateful  memories.  Nowhere  will  he  be  more  truly 
mourned. 


PUBLIC  AND  PRIVATE   TRIBUTES.  423 

"In  1835  the  Rev.  Ezra  Stiles  Ely,  D.D.,  occupying  the 
pulpit  formerly  filled  by  Archibald  Alexander,  D.D.,  deter- 
mined to  identify  himself  with  the  Marion  College  enterprise 
in  Missouri,  and  resigned  the  charge  of  Pine  Street  Church, 
Philadelphia,  and  Brainerd  was  called  to  fill  the  vacancy. 
He  accepted  and  removed  to  Philadelpliia.    It  was  a  period 
of  great  perplexity,  calling  for  firmness,  decision,  wisdom, 
and  strength  of  character  in  the  ministry.     The  very  air 
was  full  of  discord  and  strife.     Having  had  some  experi- 
ence of  ecclesiastical  warfare  in  his  Western  home,  Brainerd 
was  fully  prepared  to  appreciate  the  situation,  and  at  once 
identified  himself  with  the  proscribed  brethren,  and  stood 
manfully  by  them  through  the  whole  eventful  struggle  that 
culminated  in  the  excision  and  separation  of  the  years  1 887 
and  1838.     He  proved  himself  a  valiant  defender  of  the 
Constitution  of  the  church,  and  succeeded  in  carrying  his 
congregation  with  him.     It  pleased  God  to  spare  him  to 
see  that  portion  of  the  church  with  which  he  had  so  fully 
identified  himself  consolidated  and  increasing  in  numbers, 
and  in  all  other  essential  elements  of  church-life,  until  it 
commanded  the  respect  not  only  of  all  other  denominations, 
but  even  of  the  Old  School  brethren  theuiselves.     At  the 
meeting  of  the  General  Assenibl}^  of  our  church,  at  Dayton, 
Ohio,  in  May,  1864,  he  was  chosen  Moderator,  and  pre- 
sided with  admirable  tact  and  dignity.    The  Assembly  that 
met  at  St.  Louis,  last  May,  appointed  him  with  the  utmost 
cordiality,  Chairman  of  their  Committee  of  Conference  on 
the  Reunion  of  the  two  branches  of  the  church,  a  posi- 
tion that  he  had  fairly  earned  by  his  life-long  devotion  to 
the  interests  of  the  denomination. 

"  The  history  of  his  ministry  in  Philadelphia  can  best  be 
told  by  our  brethren  there,  and  doubtless  will  be.  In  brief, 
we  will  say,  that  during  the  thirty  years  of  his  pastorate, 
he  not  only  endeared  himself  greatly  to  his  people,  and 
succeeded  in  holding  them  together,  though  a  down-town 


424        TJFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRATNERD,  D  D. 

church,  but  he  made  himself  widely  felt  in  every  part 
of  the  city,  in  his  advocacy  of  measures  for  the  general 
good.  His  influence  was  second  to  none  in  the  ministry 
of  Philadelphia. 

"  When  the  war  of  the  rebellion  was  precipitated  upon 
the  country,  his  Bunker  Hill  spirit  was  kindled  within 
him.  With  untiring  energy,  and  zeal,  and  patriotism,  he 
gave  himself  to  his  country's  cause,  and  especially  to  the 
welfare  of  the  brave  men  that  fought  the  battles  of  free- 
dom. 

"  Excellent  as  our  brother  was  in  the  pulpit,  he  was  even 
more  so  on  the  platform.  In  consequence  of  a  serious  nervous 
affection,  from  which  for  many  years  he  suffered  greatly, 
it  was  not  always  easy  for  him  to  command  himself  suffi- 
ciently to  engage  in  earnest  debate.  But  when  he  did,  it  was 
greatly  to  the  delight  of  his  brethren.  His  ardent  temper- 
ament, his  genial  humor,  his  quick  perception,  his  keen 
wit,  his  aptness  of  illustration,  his  sharp  logic,  his  com- 
pactness of  argument,  and  his  ready  utterance,  combined 
to  secure  the  fixed  attention  of  his  audience,  and  in  most 
cases  to  carry  their  convictions. 

"But  we  forbear.  More  competent  hands  will  do  him 
better  justice.  Of  the  circumstances  of  his  decease  we  only 
know,  that  he  died  at  the  house  of  his  beloved  daughter, 
Mrs.  Henry  M.  Boies,  from  whom  it  had  pleased  God  to 
take  to  himself,  on  the  10th  and  13th  instant,  her  only  two 
children,  of  fifteen  months  and  three  and  a  half  years,  the 
latter  but  eight  days  before  its  grandfather.  Possibly  it 
was  this  that  was  made  the  immediate  occasion  of  our 
brother's  death. 

"  God  moves  in  a,  mysterious  way, 
His  wonders  to  perform." 


PUBLIC  AND   PRIVATE   TRIBUTES.  425 

Reminiscences  of  Dr.  Brainerd.    By  Rev.  E.  W.  Hutter,  D.D. 
[From  the  Lutheran  Observer.] 

"Among  the  most  noted  Philaclelpliia  clerjicymenjthe  last 
twenty-five  years,  was  Dr.  Thomas  Brainerd,  of  the 
Pine  Street  (N.  S.)  Presbyterian  Church.  There  are  few 
people  in  this  city  to  whom  he  was  not  known,  and  by  all 
was  he  admired  and  esteemed  as  a  gifted  and  eloquent 
preacher,  a  laborious  and  self-denying  pastor,  a  sincere 
and  steadfast  friend,  a  true  and  devoted  patriot,  a  genial, 
kind-hearted,  public-spirited  Christian  gentleman.  Than  he, 
the  Presbyterian  Church  never  had  a  warmer  or  more 
eflicient  friend,  and  yet  his  denominational  attachment 
happily  never  dwarfed  him  into  a  bigot,  nor  circumscribed 
his  sympathies  within  the  domain  of  a  selfish  and  little- 
minded  sectarianism.  Christians  of  all  denominations 
loved  him,  for  he  fraternized  with  all,  loving  his  own 
church  none  the  less.  Of  the  great  Union  Prayer- 
meetings,  held  at  Jayne's  Hall,  and  other  localities,  of 
blessed  memory,  his  was  long  an  accredited  master-mind. 
Often,  when  addressing  these  popular  Christian  assem- 
blies, as  he  alone  could  address  them,  did  his  face  shine, 
like  that  of  Moses  after  his  descent  from  the  Mount,  with 
the  reflected  glory  of  God,  and  yet  '  he  himself  wist  not 
that  it  shone,'  for  he  was  as  humble  as  he  was  great,  and 
only  great  because  he  was  humble.  We  have  never 
known  a  wiser  man — one  whose  speech  was  habitually 
so  characterized  by  soundest  judgment,  safest  counsel,  and 
sweetest  temper.  Both  in  his  method  of  thought  and  ex- 
pression he  was  singularly  original,  evolving  from  his 
well-stored  mind  new  and  striking  ideas,  when  others 
thought  they  had  exhausted  the  subject.  His  originality, 
too,  was  never  feigned,  but  always  natural  as  the  blowing 
of  the  wind  or  the  sports  of  a  little  child.  For  more  than 
twenty  years  was  it  our  privilege  to  share  the  doctor's 


426        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAIN ERD,   D.D. 

personal  intimacy,  and  never  did  we  prize  human  friend- 
ship more,  or  more  deeply  mourn  its  severance  by  the 
hand  of  Death.  We  have  many  of  the  doctor's  quaint- 
nesses  stored  away  in  memory.  From  them  we  cull  at 
random  the  following' : 

"  His  View  op  Preaching. — On  a  Saturday  afternoon 
there  came  to  his  residence  a  young  Presbyterian  minister, 
a  graduate  of  Princeton,  who  had  only  recently  been  re- 
ceived into  the  sacred  office.  Of  course,  the  doctor  in- 
vited him  to  occupy  his  pulpit  the  next  day,  to  which  he 
readily  assented.  'And  now,  doctor,'  asked  the  young 
divine,  'on  what  subject  do  you  desire  me  to  preach?' 
This  was  the  doctor's  reply :  '  It  is  not  my  habit,  when 
another  fills  ni}^  pulpit,  to  prescribe  to  him  how  or  what 
he  shall  preach.  But,  as  you  have  made  the  request,  I 
will  tell  you  what  I  wish  you  to  say.  I  wish  you,  to- 
morrow morning,  to  tell  my  people  that  by  nature  they  are 
all  sinner.-*,  alienated  from  the  life  and  love  of  God  ;  that 
they  all  need  daily  to  exercise  repentance  toward  God  and 
faith  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ;  that  they  all  need  the  re- 
newing and  sanctifying  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  Exhort 
the  brethren  to  be  steadfast  in  the  profession  they  have 
made.  Entreat  the  impenitent  and  unconverted  to  awake 
out  of  their  sleep,  and  flee  for  safety  to  Christ,  before  it  be 
forever  too  late.  And  if  you  are  in  need  of  a  text,  take 
the  words  of  Christ  to  Nicodemus :  Except  a  man  be  born 
again  of  wat^r  and  of  the  Spirit,  he  cannot  enter  into  the 
kingdom  of  heaven.'  'But,'  replied  the  young  minister, 
exhibiting  signs  of  embarrassment,  '  I  am  sorry  to  say, 
doctor,  I  have  no  sermon  on  that  subject.'  '  Then,'  con- 
cluded the  doctor,  '  I  recommend  to  you,  forthwith,  to  pre- 
pare one.'  The  young  minister  came  to  the  Pine  Street 
Church  next  morning,  discoursed  ably  and  earnestly  on 
that  very  text,  and  on  those  identical  themes,  producing  a 
profound  impression,  and  ever  after  thanked  the  doctor  for 


PUBLIC  AND   PRIVATE  TRIBUTES.  427 

having-,  in  his  own  pleasant  and  effective  way,  furnished 
the  key-note  to  his  entire  subsequent  successful  ministry. 
How  true  the  declaration  of  Solomon:  'A  word  fitly  spoken 
is  like  apples  of  gold  in  pictures  of  silver.' 

"  His  Practical  Benevolence. — During  the  war,  on 
a  Sunday  morning,  there  came  to  the  Pine  Street  Church, 
occupying  one  of  the  front  pews,  a  soldier,  who  before 
Charleston  had  lost  bolh  his  oi-ms.  The  doctor  had  pre- 
viously made  his  acquaintance  at  the  Volunteer  Refresh- 
ment Saloon,  and  taken  a  deep  interest  in  his  history. 
Without  preconcert  and  quite  unexpectedly  to  the  armless 
soldier,  at  the  close  of  his  sermon,  the  doctor  called  at- 
tention to  him  ;  quoted  the  words  of  St.  James,  '  He  that 
knoweth  to  do  good  and  doeth  it  not,  to  him  it  is  sin  ;' 
and  the  words  of  Paul,  '  As  we  have,  therefore,  oppor- 
f unity,  let  us  do  good  unto  all  men.'  He  requested  his 
friend,  Major  R.,  in  whose  pew  the  armless  soldier  was 
sitting,  to  conduct  him  through  the  middle  aisle  to  the 
vestibule,  and  asked  a  few  of  the  elders  to  occupy  places 
at  the  front  doors,  and  receive  donations  for  him,  using 
their  hats  as  the  places  of  deposit.  In  this  impromptu 
way  over  one  hundred  dollars  were  received,  sufficient  to 
enable  the  brave  '  Boy  in  Blue'  to  begin  a  newspaper-stand, 
hire  an  assistant,  and  maintain  himself  comfortably. 

"  His  Patriotism. — On  a  Thanksgiving  Hay,  during 
the  war,  at  the  close  of  a  delightful  discourse,  combining 
fervent  piety  with  purest  patriotism,  the  doctor  remarked, 
'  Before  I  dismiss  the  audience,  I  have  a  request  to  make 
of  the  choir,  which  is,  that  they  will  sing  the  Stat-- 
spangled  Banner,  and  if  there  be  any  one  in  the  audi- 
ence to  whom  it  is  an  offense,  he  is  at  liberty  now  to 
retire.^  The  grand  national  anthem  was  performed  by 
the  organist  and  choir  with  thrilling  effect,  the  entire  audi- 
ence remaining,  and  rising  to  their  feet.  Let  it  not  be 
supposed  that  a  solitary  worshiper  went  away  offended, 


428        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

for  the  doctor  bad  a  way  of  saying  and  doing  things 
that  nobody  else  has,  and  doing  them  with  entire  im- 
punity." 

A  Tribute  to  Dr.  Brainerd. 

[From  the  Cincinnati  Herald.] 

"A  few  weeks  ago,  while  visiting  in  Cincinnati,  I  re- 
ceived a  letter  from  a  friend  in  Philadelphia,  which  in- 
closed a  withered  leaf  which  had  been  plucked  from  Dr. 
Brainerd's  newly-raade  grave.  Since  then  it  has  been  my 
mournful  privilege  to  visit  this  hallow^ed  spot,  and,  as 
there  are  not  a  few  readers  of  the  Herald  who  will  also 
prize  a  memento  from  this  grave,  I  intrust  to  them  a 
simple  memorial. 

"  The  brief  newspaper  telegrams  which  announced  the 
death  of  Dr.  Brainerd,  from  apoplex}',  in  Scranton,  Pa., 
August  22d,  could  give  no  particulars  to  distant  friends  of 
the  manner  of  his  departure.  It  was  a  translation  rather 
than  a  death.  He  retired  at  9  o'clock  p.m.  in  usual  health, 
and  shortly  after  slept ;  at  one  o'clock  a.m.,  as  we  com- 
pute time,  he  awoke  in  heaven,  having  known  neither 
struggle  nor  pain  in  the  awakening.  Within  three  min- 
utes from  the  time  his  loud  breathing  aroused  his  wife, 
medical  aid  was  at  hand,  but  in  vain  ;  the  pulse  was  gone, 
and  his  children,  who  hastened  to  his  chamber  to  minister, 
found  themselves  standing  beside  his  inanimate  clay.  The 
cheek  rested  upon  his  hand,  which  pressed  the  pillow  in 
ihe  easy  posture  of  slumber;  but  it  was  the  slumber  of 
death. 

"At  nine  o'clock  the  sapie  morning  his  family  set  out  for 
Philadelphia  wnth  the  remains.  They  were  attended  from 
his  daughter's  residence  to  the  depot  by  the  clergymen  of 
Scranton,  of  whatever  denomination,  and  by  the  leading 
citizens  of  the  town,  w'ho  came  si)ontaneously  in  a  body, 
to  proffer  this  final  tribute  to  the  coffined  dead. 


PUBLIC  AXD   PRIVATE   TRIBUTES.  429 

"The  following  Saturday  afternoon  (Aufrust  25th)  the 
funeral  took  place  in  '  Old  Pine  Street  Church,'  the  scene 
of  Dr.  Brainerd's  pastorate  of  thirty  years.  It  is  said 
that,  except  the  obsequies  of  Lincoln,  so  large  a  funeral 
was  never  known  in  Philadelphia.  Between  six  and  seven 
o'clock,  amid  the  tears  of  the  multitude,  the  body  was 
committed  to  a  grave  which  had  been  prepared  for  it  in 
the  church-yard,  close  to  the  eastern  wall  of  the  venerable 
sanctuary.  It  was  in  a  small  lot  inclosed  by  an  iron  rail- 
ing, where  already  slept  '  May,  the  pastor's  daughter,' 
and  a  son,  who  also  died  in  childhood.  The  white  tomb- 
stones which  have  been  accumulating  in  this  somewhat 
spacious  church-yard  for  more  than  a  century  crowd  each 
other  closely,  suggesting  the  thought  that  in  the  '  church 
triumphant'  Pine  Street  Church  far  outnumbers  the  throng 
of  communicants  which  now  people  her  pews.  Dr.  Brai- 
nerd  chose  well  his  resting-place — where  his  people  might 
visit  it,  where  the  voices  of  children  in  the  Sunday-school 
might  float  above  it,  and  sounds  of  the  sanctuary  in  prayer, 
in  sermon,  and  in  song,  might  hallow  it  until  the  resurrec- 
tion morn. 

"  When  I  visited  this  grave,  it  had  been  closed  six 
weeks.  It  was  covered  with  fresh  flowers  then,  and  had 
been  kept  so,  I  was  credibly  informed,  ever  since  the 
funeral.  Each  Sabbath  morning  a  fresh  wreath  of  exqui- 
site beauty  had  been  laid  upon  it,  and  bouquets  such  as 
only  the  resources  of  the  Avealtby  could  command.  But  it 
was  tributes  of  another  sort  which  kept  up  the  freshness 
through  the  week ;  these  were  ofi'erings  from  his  numberless 
friends  among  the  poor,  who  would  slip  quietly  in  as  they 
passed  about  their  week-day  work,  and  lay  their  single 
flowers,  bedewed  with  tears,  upon  the  sod. 

"  His  congregation  constitute  a  great  bereaved  family. 
The  church  and  the  Sunday-school  rooms  are  still  heavily 

37 


430    LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

draped,  and  in  every  service  there  is  mention  of  the  de- 
parted. 

"  They  have  found  much  consolation  in  the  remembrance 
of  Dr.  Brainerd's  last  sermon  in  his  own  pulpit.  This  was 
on  Sabbath,  July  8th,  and  was  preached  in  anticipation  of 
his  leaving,  during  the  week,  for  his  summer  vacation. 
The  te.xt  was  Luke,  xxiv.  29.  'Abide  with  us ;  for  it  is 
toward  evening,  and  the  day  is  far  spent.'  He  remarked 
that  he  left  them  each  year  with  increasing  pensiveness  ; 
soon  the  last  parting  must  come,  for  with  him  the  day  of 
life  drew  on  toward  its  evening;  but  he  said  there  was  a 
Friend  who  could  abide  with  them,  although  he  might 
leave  them  ;  and  unto  the  keeping  of  that  divine  Friend 
he  committed  them. 

"A  fortnight  ago  the  Sunday-school  of  the  church,  to- 
gether with  the  two  mission-schools  under  their  charge, 
held  their  anniversary.  Seven  hundred  children  excluded 
all  spectators  from  the  lower  part  of  the  audience  room, 
and  their  demeanor  as  sincere  mourners  was  marked. 

"  The  boys  from  the  mission-schools  all  knew  and  loved 
Dr.  Brainerd  from  personal  contact,  and  they  distinguished 
themselves  by  unparalleled  good  behavior  in  this  house  of 
mourning.  For  a  period  extending  over  the  entire  life  of 
the  principal  superintendent  and  of  most  of  the  teachers, 
Dr.  B.  had  addressed  them  upon  each  anniversary  occasion. 
For  the  first  time  he  Avas  absent,  and  there  seemed  a  great 
void  in  the  services,  which  tears  alone  could  in  any  degree 
fill. 

"  The  climax  of  these  commemorative  services  was 
reached  last  Sabbath  afternoon,  when  the  house,  with  its 
spacious  galleries,  was  densely  crowded  to  hear  Rev.  Mr. 
Barnes's  memorial  sermon.  This  discourse  was  preached 
by  appointment  of  the  Presbytery  of  Philadelphia.  The 
text  was  Daniel,  xii.,  first  and  second  verses. 

"  Words  fail  to  adequately  convey  an  idea  of  the  sermon 


PUBLIC  AND   PRIVATE   TRIBUTES.  43 1 

and  the  scene.  The  old  walls  which  for  thirty  years  had 
given  back  the  faithful  pastor's  well-remembered  voice, 
now  resounded  with  the  earnest,  tremulous  tones  of  his 
dearest  ministerial  friend  in  sentences  of  discriminating 
eulogy,  and  at  length,  in  the  agonized  expression  of  his 
own  sense  of  personal  bereavement.  He  had  come  to 
weep  with  those  who  wept,  and  surely  sympathy  with  the 
living  and  affection  for  the  dead  were  never  more  grace- 
fully blended  than  in  this  eloquent  tribute  of  Albert  Barnes 
to  the  memory  of  his  quarter-century  co-worker,  Thomas 
Brainerd. 

"  Dr.  Brainerd  will  long  be  remembered  as  preacher, 
patriot,  and  author,  but  longer  still  as  pastor.  He  consti- 
tuted the  model  pastor  of  our  day.  In  his  genial  presence 
there  was  ever  light  and  life  for  the  people  of  his  flock. 
He  baptized  the  children,  and,  as  they  grew  up,  he  watched 
over  them  in  the  sanctuary  and  in  the  street,  prayed  with 
and  for  them,  and  in  due  time  was  permitted  to  receive 
numbers  of  them  into  the  church  of  Christ.  As  soon  as 
qualified,  he  appointed  each  to  his  or  her  place  in  the 
working  corps  of  '  Old  Pine  Street  Church,'  and  kept  each 
in  place  by  his  untiring  vigilance ;  thus  it  came  to  pass 
that,  although  the  fathers  had  fallen  asleep,  and  leading 
families  were  constantly  removing  up  town,  this  old  far 
'  down  town  '  church  at  the  time  of  his  death  was  one  of 
the  most  efficient  of  our  denomination  in  Philadelphia. 

"  Cincinnati's  interest  in  this  noble  Christian  life  finds  its 
origin  in  these  same  pastoral  qualifications,  which  in  their 
incipiency  bore  fair  fruits  in  the  old  Fourth  Church,  which 
still  stands  on  the  hill-side  in  the  suburb  of  Fulton.  This 
church  was  feeble  and  poor — the  congregation  a  mere 
handful — and  Dr.  Brainerd  was  with  them  but  two  years. 
Yet  there  are  to-day,  on  the  banks  of  the  Ohio  and  else- 
where, scores  of  men  and  women  who  are  among  the  most 
faithful  workers  in  the  Master's  vineyard,  who  date  their 


432        r^tFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

inspiration  to  the  Fourth  Church  of  Cincinnati  and  its 
youthful  pastor.  Upon  some  of  these  he  only  laid  his 
hand  in  the  rite  of  infant  baptism,  but  through  that  sanc- 
tified 'power  of  the  individual '  which  so  characterized  the 
man,  his  influence  ever  followed  these  baptized  children, 
and  was  largely  instrumental  in  leading  them  to  Christ. 

"He  never  forgot  them.  When  he  visited  Cincinnati 
the  churches  of  the  city  rarely  knew  of  his  presence,  but 
he  called  upon  each  member  of  the  old  families  within 
reach,  and  never  omitted  to  stand  upon  the  steps  of  his 
'first  church,'  and  when  access  was  possible,  entered  his 
old  pulpit  for  a  few  moments,  the  better  to  recall  the  past. 

"This  love  for  Cincinnati  did  not  wane  in  his  latest 
years.  Over  the  vicissitudes  of  Christ's  kingdom  there 
his  tears  often  fell,  for  through  the  Herald  and  otherwise 
he  kept  himself  in  close  sympathy  with  its  life.  Cincinnati 
friends  were  welcomed  to  his  fireside,  and  if  of  the  Fourth 
Church,  he  would  sometimes  get  out  a  little  old  note-book 
belonging  to  the  early  time,  for  the  purpose  of  talking  over 
and  inquiring  after  the  people  of  long  ago.  Many  of  these 
people  upon  whom  he  bestowed  remembrance,  were,  when 
he  knew  them,  laborers  in  the  rolling-mills  and  ship-yards 
of  Fulton,  poor  women  who  toiled  by  the  day  to  support 
their  families,  or  young  boys  who  worked  for  their  scanty 
bread. 

"  This  Christ-like  trait  of  preaching  the  gospel  to  the  poor 
was  characteristic  (although  above  most  Christian  minis- 
ters, it  had  been  his  privilege  to  bless  and  to  mould  the 
rich),  and  was  as  beautifully  revealed  in  his  last  work  as  it 
had  been  in  the  first.  During  his  month  in  Scranton  his 
most  enjoyed  reci'eation  was  to  go  at  noon-time  and  sit 
with  the  miners  when  they  came  out  from  the  pits  to  eat 
their  lunch.  Going  among  them,  he  would  inquire  in  his 
pleasant  way,  whether  there  was  not  room  on  their  plank 
for  another  man  to  sit.     They  would  crowd  together  and 


PUBLIC  AND    PRIVATE   TRIBUTES.  433 

make  room  for  him — and  sitting  among  them  be  would 
talk,  while  they  ate,  of  their  homes  across  the  ocean,  of 
their  families,  their  personal  habits,  and  doubtless  of  the 
better  country,  they,  the  while,  not  knowing  who  he  was. 
Leaving  them  when  the  signal  for  return  to  work  was 
sounded,  they  would  call  after  him  familiarly,  expressing 
in  their  rude  speech  the  honest  wish  that  he  would  come 
again. 

"  From  this  humble  service  among  the  miners  Dr.  Bi'ai- 
nerd,  the  beloved,  passed  to  his  rest  and  reward. 

"R.  L.  B." 

Dr.  Brainerd.    By  Rev.  Jam3s  J.  Marks,  D.D. 

"Earth  is  poorer  and  heaven  is  richer,  for  one  of  the 
best  and  noblest  of  men  is  gone  from  us  and  is  with  God. 
This  morning,  as  my  eye  glanced  over  the  dispatches  in 
one  of  our  morning  papers,  it  fell  on  the  lines,  '  Dr. 
Thomas  Brainerd,  pastor  of  the  Pine  Street  Church  in 
Philadelphia,  is  dead.'  The  paper  dropped  from  my 
hands,  and  the  words  burst  from  my  heart,  '  Oh,  what  a 
loss  !  what  a  light  has  gone  out!'  What  a  genial,  broad- 
minded,  catholic-spirited  man  has  gone  from  among  us. 
I  had  known  Dr.  Brainerd  by  reputation  and  his  writings 
for  years — indeed,  since  183Y  ;  and  occasionally  I  had  met 
him  in  the  General  Assembly,  but  I  had  no  intimate  per- 
sonal acquaintance  until  1863,  when  our  nation's  struggle 
brought  me  to  his  house.  From  this  time  our  relations 
were  of  the  most  friendly  and  intimate  character.  M}'" 
relation  to  the  army  and  various  charitable  associations 
connected  with  the  service,  brought  me  frequently  to  Phil- 
adelphia, and  in  his  family  I  made  my  home;  and  every 
hour  I  spent  with  him  ended  with  but  one  regret — that  I 
had  not  known  him  sooner.  I  have  gone  with  him  to  the 
social  and  religious  assemblies  of  the  church,  into  the  alleys 
and  remote  streets  of  Philadelphia,  where  we  addressed  on 

37* 


434        LIFE  OF  REV.  THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

the   sidewalks,  in  school-houses,  and  in  churches,  small 
groups  and  large  congregations  of  colored  people,  urging 
them  to  avail  themselves  of  the  hour  for  their  race  and 
their  country.     I  have  been  with  him  on  many  visits  to  the 
hospitals,  where  we  endeavored  to   pour  balm  into  the 
wounds  of  our  broken  heroes.     I  have   stood  by  bis  side 
in  many  gatherings  of  loyal   men  ;  and,  in  the  darkest 
days  of  despair  and  gloom,  he  spoke  such  words  of  cheer, 
of  faith  in  God  and  the  right,  of  courage,  as  rarely  fall 
from  human  lips,  and  sent  forth  thousands  with  brighter 
eyes  and  spirits  nerved  for  every  sacrifice.    In  these  years 
of  our  great  nation's  travail  and  agony,  the  pastor  of  the 
Pine  Street  Church  was  the  leader  of  that  noble  host  of 
loyal  men  and  women  whose  munificent  charities  and  sac- 
rifices for  the  army  and  country  have  won  for  Philadelphia 
the  gratitude  of  millions.     Were  the  soldiers  from  other 
States,  hastening  to  the  field  of  battle,  to  be  met,  warmed, 
and  cheered,  Dr.  Brainerd  was  your  voice  and  hand.    The 
profound  admiration  that  glowed  in  his  words  and  face  for 
those  who  were  willing  to  shed  their  blood  and  lay  down 
their  lives  for  their  country,  the  benedictions  of  his  re. 
ligion,  the   reverence   felt  by  him   for   the   poorest   and 
humblest  man  that  followed  the  flag  of  his  country,  gave 
dignity  in  the  eyes  of  the  soldier  to  his  mission,  and  sent 
him  forth  a  more  cheerful  and  courageous  man.*     Were 
the  wounded  to  be  received  and  borne  to  the  hospitals. 
Dr.  Brainerd  was  foremost  among  you,  who,  with  bless- 
ings  and   tears,   prayers   and   sympathies,    softened   the 
couches  and  relieved  the  anguish  of  the  sufferers.     Was 
there  an  hour  when  all  hearts  stood  still  in  fear,  when  a 
mighty,  crushing  storm  bewildered  us  all,  there  was  one 
among  you  who  knew  no  fear,  and  whose  head  rose  far 

*'  It  was  his  custom  to  take  off  his  hat  to  every  loyal  soldier  he  met, 
during  the  war. 


PUBLIC  AND  rRIVATE  TRIBUTES.  435 

above  the  darkness  of  the  tempest.  Was  there  an  hour  of 
great  deliverance,  when  the  power  of  the  enemies  of  the 
country  was  broken  forever,  and  strong  men  wept  in  each 
other's  arms,  and  all  rushed,  as  by  a  common  impulse, 
before  the  sacred  shrine  of  American  liberty,  again,  by 
one  consent,  Dr.  Brainerd  expressed,  in  seer-like  words, 
your  gratitude  to  God.  In  these  scenes,  I  would  one  hour 
most  admire  Dr.  Brainerd's  self-forgetfulness,  his  indiffer- 
ence to  fatigue;  at  another,  I  would  most  admire  his 
eloquence,  his  sympathy  with  man,  and  magnanimous 
generosity.  Another  day  I  was  most  impressed  with  his 
far-seeing  wisdom  and  tact,  his  knowledge  of  men,  and 
power  of  silencing  opposition  and  stimulating  to  enthu- 
siasm the  lukewarm  and  the  wavering. 

"  In  those  years  there  was  a  marvelous  growth  in  the 
affections  and  spiritual  being  of  Dr.  Brainerd ;  his  trials 
and  sorrows,  exertions  and  struggles,  deepened  his  sym- 
pathies with  human  nature,  and  made  him  love  more 
earnestly  all  true  and  good  men.  And  whatever,  like 
broken  shreds,  had  remained  of  human  weaknesses,  such 
as  ambition,  self-seeking,  the  love  of  ease,  the  fear  of  man, 
repugnancy  to  those  of  different  o})inions  and  faith,  were 
all  thrown  off  as  unworthy  of  the  man. 

"  Long  before  his  departure  from  us  the  angels  were 
weaving  above  him  his  robes  of  light. 

"  Such  a  man  ennobled  our  nature  and  increased  our 
gratitude  to  the  gospel,  which  gives  us  the  assurance  that 
we  shall  meet  him  again,  and  know  him  and  love  hiui  for- 
ever. 

"  Probably,  there  is  reason  for  gratitude  to  God  that  in 
the  fullness  of  his  usefulness,  if  not  of  his  strength,  he  de- 
parted from  us.  It  is  best  that  such  a  man  should  not 
gradually  retire  from  the  thoughts  and  walks  of  those  who 
have  revered  and  loved  him.  We  will  pray  more  earnestly 
for  his  mantle,  because  we  saw  it  hanging  fully  and  grace- 


436        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,   D.D. 

fully  on  the  shoulders  of  one  not  creeping  into  silence,  but 
in  the  full  glory  of  his  ministry." 

The  Presbyterian  of  Philadelphia,  says  : 

"Dr.  Brainerd  had  a  character  of  no  common  force.  In 
the  pulpit  and  lecture-room  he  was  an  earnest,  instructive, 
and  practical  preacher  ;  and  as  a  Presbyterian  counselor, 
he  was  always  a  ready  and  fluent  speaker,  as  well  as  an 
active  and  influential  participator  in  church  enterprises  and 
general  works  of  benevolence.  During  the  recent  war  he 
was  a  firm  and  uncompromising  supporter  of  the  govern- 
ment, and  his  voice  often  cheered  our  troops  as  they  passed 
through  the  city  to  the  seat  of  war.  He  was  a  patriot 
without  disguise,  and  to  no  heart  did  the  ultimate  success 
of  our  cause  bring  a  livelier  thrill  of  pleasure.  In  private 
intercourse  his  manner  was  kind  and  genial,  and  to  the 
Philadelphia  public  he  was  well  known  for  his  zeal  in  a 
good  cause,  and  the  ready  devotion  of  bis  best  influence. 
Now  a  chasm  has  been  caused  by  his  departure,  which  it 
will  not  be  easy  to  fill.  So  it  is,  humanly  speaking;  but 
when  one  of  God's  servants  has  fulfilled  his  appointed 
time,  served  his  generation,  and  passed  away,  God  has 
inexhaustible  resources  from  which  to  fill  up  the  broken 
ranks." 

Dr.  Brainerd' s  Death  and  Funeral. 

[From  the  Episcopalian.] 

"  In  the  full  notice  of  the  funeral  of  Dr.  Brainerd,  which 
this  paper  contains,  it  was  pleasant  to  find  a  mention  of 
the  circumstance  that  the  bell  of  St.  Peter's  Church,  in  the 
immediate  neighborhood  of  Dr.  B.'s  church  and  home, 
tolled  during  the  solemnity.  It  was  a  fitting  token  of  re- 
spect to  a  highly  respected  and  distinguished  minister  of 
the  gospel,  which  compromised  no  principle  of  our  own 


PUBLIC  AND   PRIVATE  TRIBUTES.  437 

cburcli,  and  was  calculated  to  win  for  it  the  esteem  of  those 
who  follow  not  us. 

"  In  the  list  of  clergy  present  from  other  denominations 
and  other  cities,  none  of  our  own  appears  ;  but  this  is 
owing  to  the  fact  that  many  of  our  most  prominent  min- 
isters were  then  absent,  who  would  have  been  glad  to 
testify  their  appreciation  of  his  character  and  services,  and 
thus  to  reciprocate  the  courtesies  which  Dr.  B.  and  his 
brethren  have  been  careful  to  extend  to  us,  when  the  lights 
of  our  own  church  have  been  extinguished  by  death. 

"  The  main  feature  of  the  funeral  service,  as  recorded 
in  this  notice,  was  the  address  of  Kev.  Albert  Barnes, 
who  was,  in  fact,  the  chief  mourner  also,  after  Dr.  B.'s 
own  family  and  flock.  This  address  is  described  as  a  very 
touching  one,  the  lament  of  a  David  over  his  beloved  Jon- 
athan, and  it  is  no  small  distinction  that  Mr.  Barnes  was 
able  to  say  of  the  deceased,  that  he  had  'many  other  val- 
uable friends,  wise  and  greatly  beloved,  but  none  like  Dr. 
Brainerd.' 

"Besides  his  pastoral  labors,  Dr.  Brainerd  deserves  to 
be  remembered  with  special  gratitude  by  all  who  rejoice 
in  the  deliverance  of  our  country  from  civil  war.  Valua- 
ble to  others  and  grateful  to  himself  were  his  efforts  in 
behalf  of  the  sick  and  wounded,  the  weary  and  friendless, 
among  the  soldiers  in  our  refreshment  saloons  and  hos- 
pitals. The  writer  has  heard  him  relate  affecting  incidents, 
showing  the  appreciation  of  his  kindness  and  activities  by 
returned  or  recovered  soldiers  whom  he  afterward  met  in 
his  travels  in  other  States  and  cities ;  and  heard  him  at 
the  same  time  lament  that  he  could  not  go  through  the 
trying  scenes  connected  with  such  services,  without  a  de- 
gree of  fatigue  and  exhaustion  which  surprised  him. 
Doubtless  the  excitement  which  he  then  passed  through, 
helped  to  undermine  his  strength. 

********* 


438        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

"  He  sleeps  beside  the  old  church  where  he  ministered 
so  long,  and  in  the  midst  of  the  heroic  dead  of  his  flock, 
whose  monument  he  helped  to  rear  with  tearful  pride  a 
few  weeks  only  before  he  was  himself  joined  to  their  hon- 
ored company. 

"Let  us  rejoice  to  believe,  that  the  country  will  not 
need  any  more  such  efforts  of  sympathy  as  he  was  obliged 
to  put  forth,  and  that  he  has  gone  to  that  better  world 
where  neither  national  strife  nor  domestic  bereavement 
will  ever  again  distress  or  injure  him.  "  S." 

By  Rsv.  T.  K.  Baeoher. 

"  Dr.  Thomas  Brainerd,  for  thirty  years  pastor  of  Pine 
Street  Presbyterian  Church  in  Pliiladelphia,  ceased  from 
his  labor  and  entered  into  his  rest  on  the  22d  of  August 
last 

"  One  of  the  earliest  admirations  of  our  boyhood,  the  very 
first  comforter  of  our  manhood,  the  hospitable  host  of  our 
first  Philadelphia  home,  our  pastor  in  the  first  days  of  in- 
telligent Christian  hope,  the  promoter  of  our  earliest  Chris- 
tian labor,  our  constant  and  well-beloved  friend  up  to  the 
day  of  his  release,  was  Dr.  Brainerd. 

"Though  sixty  years  old  when  we  saw  him  last,  he 
seemed  to  us  a  brother  in  close  and  sympathetic  love. 
Trundling  through  the  streets  on  the  crowded  city  cars, 
we  talked  of  slavery,  of  war,  of  Roman  Catholics,  of 
schools,  of  old  time  controversies,  and  so  gentle  was  his 
ripe  discourse  that  we  thought  of  Jesus  Christ,  his  master, 
and  gave  thanks. 

"He  was  a  Presbyterian,  and  pastor  of  a  very  old  and 
influential  church  of  that  name,  in  Philadelphia — the  home 
and  center  of  that  denomination.  All  the  honors  and  dis- 
tinctions which  that  church  can  bestow,  he  long  since  had 
most  worthily  received,  honoring  them  by  acceptance.  A 
trusted  ecclesiastical  counselor,  chairman  of  many  respon- 


PUBLIC  AND   PRIVATE   TRIBUTES.  439 

sible  church  committees,  and  of  necessity  touched  by  all  the 
controversies  of  the  past  thirty-five  eventful  years,  he  never- 
theless so  bore  himself  that  no  man  felt  that  he  was  a  Pres- 
byterian, so  stronger  was  his  influence  as  a  Christian.  We 
loved  him,  and  we  love  his  church  for  his  sake,  and  have 
new  love  for  Jesus  Christ,  and  his  doctrine,  because  he 
has  power  to  change  a  man  into  such  a  Christian. 

"  We  were  once  a  boy,  and  remember  how  hapjiy  we 
were  when  'Brainerd  '  (as  father  fondly  called  him)  would 
come  in  and  tell  stories  of  his  mission  work  in  F'ulton,  a 
suburb  of  Cincinnati.  We  remember  him  in  the  Sunday- 
school,  always  welcome.  We  remember  him,  when  as  a 
child  we  stood  by  an  open  grave  to  see  a  mother  buried, 
and  were,  after  a  childish  sort,  comforted  because  mother 
was  lying  so  near  to  Mrs.  Brainerd.  And  here  the  curtain 
falls,  to  rise  again  twelve  years  after,  and  show  us  our 
pastor — who  greeted  us  as  a  Christian,  because  we  loved 
and  trusted  Jesus  Christ — even  though  we  were  ignorant 
and  unsettled  as  to  all  received  orthodox  doctrine. 

"  His  boys  and  girls  romped  with  us,  and  now  they 
are  men  and  women.  But  he  did  not  change.  Years  and 
separation  wrought  no  wavering  in  his  love.  The  whirl- 
wind of  war  did  not  blind  his  eyes,  nor  extirpate  his 
charity.  His  great  church  loved  him  and  followed  him. 
His  young  men  became  middle  aged  and  still  reverenced 
him.  His  children  made  homes  of  their  own,  but  his 
house  was  still  the  home.  Infirmity  came  upon  him  and 
critical  peril  of  life,  yet  he  sat  in  his  pulpit  and  discoursed 
of  Jesus  Christ. 

"  Dear  friends,  who  read  these  words,  you  did  not  know 
Dr.  Brainerd.  Perhaps  you  wonder  that  I  thus  write  of 
one  to  you  a  stranger.  I  cannot  write  of  aught  else,  for 
my  'exchanges  '  all  remind  me  of  him,  and  I  cannot  write 
till  I  have  freed  my  heart  of  the  delicious  pain — of  Chris- 
tian sorrow. 


4i0        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D  D. 

"  He  fought  the  good  fight,  he  finished  his  course,  he  kept 
his  faith.  We  will  be  followers  of  him  as  was  he  of  Christ." 

The  family  of  Rev.  Dr.  Kennard  sent  to  the  American 
Pi'eahylerian  for  republication,  the  report  of  Dr.  Brainerd's 
remarks  at  the  funeral  of  Dr.  Kennard,  on  the  28th  of  June, 
1866,  as  "singularly  applicable  to  himself;"  making  the 
offering  with  considerate  kindness  to  Dr.  Brainerd's  family, 
as  the  expression  of  their  Christian  sympathy. 

When  the  Anniversary  Sermon  before  the  "  Brainerd 
Society  "  of  Lafayette  College  was  published  for  the  next 
3'ear,  1867,  President  Cattell  himself  prepared  an  "Ap- 
pendix," occupying  eight  pages,  containing  an  epitome 
of  Dr.  Brainerd's  public  life,  and  a  summary  of  the  preced- 
ing testimonials.  He  said,  "  The  admonitions  given  by 
Dr.  Brainerd  only  one  year  ago  from  the  same  pulpit,  now 
seemed  invested  with  the  solemnity  of  a  voice  from  the 
grave.  Dr.  Brainerd's  sermon  was  listened  to  with  delight 
and  profit  by  an  eager  and  attentive  audience;  but  none 
thought  that  the  occasion  would  ever  after  be  recalled  by 
them  with  a  yet  deeper  interest,  from  its  being  the  laat 
message  this  honored  servant  of  Christ  would  deliver  from 
the  pulpit." 

Letter  from  Rev.  Septimus  Tustin,  D.D.,  of  Washington. 
"  During  the  exercises  connected  with  the  recent  com- 
mencement at  Lafayette  College,  I  sat  with  Dr.  Brai- 
nerd in  the  pulpit  of  the  Brainerd  Church  at  Easton,  and 
after  listening  to  an  admirable  discourse,  probably  his 
last,  addressed  to  the  young  men  of  the  Brainerd  Society, 
on  the  appropriate  text,  '  Let  no  man  despise  thy  youth,' 
I  was  requested  by  President  Cattell  to  offer  the  conclud- 
ing prayer  of  the  service.  I  was  thus  brought  into  close 
proximity  with  Dr.  Brainerd,  and  was  charmed  with  the 
delightful  spirit  which  he  displa3^ed  toward  me  at  the 
close  of  the  service,  in  the  interchange  of  Christian  civili- 


PUBLIC  AND   PRIVATE   TRIBUTES.  44 1 

ties,  though  not  wearing  an  ecclesiai^tical  rose  of  precisely 
the  same  color,  yet  both  aiming  to  bring  about  the  blending 
into  one  of  those  roses  whose  united  fragrance,  I  doubt  not, 
will  fill  the  Church  militant  and  the  Church  triumphant 
with  joy  and  gladness.  May  we  not  reasonably  suppose 
that,  as  he  looks  down  from  the  portals  of  light  and  love 
upon  the  discordant  elements  which  still  exist  in  the 
church  bought  with  the  Saviour's  blood,  he  is  disposed 
to  chide  our  hesitancy  and  tardiness  in  bringing  about  this 
delightful  consummation  ?  I  confess,  my  dear  brother, 
that  the  nearer  I  approach  to  the  termination  of  my  earthly 
probation,  now  not  far  distant,  the  more  my  soul  pants  to 
witness  the  reunion  (to  change  my  illustration  to  one,  per- 
haps, more  appropriate)  of  these  bleeding  members  of  the 
Redeemer's  mutilated  body ;  and  when  that  shall  have  been 
accomplished,  I  trust  that,  through  abounding  mercy  to 
the  chief  of  sinners,  I  may  at  least  be  ready,  if  not  willing 
or  anxious  to  say,  with  good  old  Simeon,  with  the  Eojje  of 
Salvation,  not  only  in  his  trembling  arms,  but  in  his  joyful 
heart,  '  Now,  Lord,  lettest  thou  thy  servant  depart  in 
peace,  for  mine  eyes  have  seen  thy  salvation.'  I  believe 
there  are  scores  and  thousands  of  Simeons  and  Annas 
throughout  the  bounds  of  both  branches  of  our  beloved 
Zion  who  are  looking  forward  to  such  an  event  with  emo- 
tions too  deep  for  utterance. 

"'How  long,  dear  Saviour,  0,  how  long 
Shall  that  bright  hour  delay; 
Fly  swiftly  round,  ye  wheels  of  time, 
And  bring  the  welcome  day.' 

"Sbptkmbkr  1,3th,  1866." 


38 


442        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

Extract  of  Letter  from  Rev.  George  Duffield,  of  Galesburg,  111., 
Sept.  18th,  1866. 

"  I)r.  Brainerd  is  gone,  a  friend  from  whom  I  parted 
more  unwillingly  and  with  a  greater  sense  of  sacrifice  than 
any  other  ministerial  friend  in  Philadelphia.  One  of  his 
peculiarities,  you  remember,  was  to  cultivate  the  society 
of  3'ounger  brethren  in  the  ministry;  and  how  much  we 
enjo3'ed  such  intercourse  in  the  Union  Prayer-meetings, 
the  Monday  morning  meeting,  at  Presbytery  and  Synod, 
I  need  not  say.  Never  shall  I  forget  a  day  that  I  once 
spent  with  him  (after  the  meeting  of  Synod  at  William.s- 
port)  in  a  trip  along  the  West  Branch  of  the  Susquelianna. 
The  mountain  and  river  scenery  seemed  to  make  him 
almost  wild  with  delight;  and  as  from  time  to  time  he 
sketched  so  vividly  the  leading  incidents  of  his  life,  and 
especially  the  manner  in  which  he  was  weaned  from  the 
law  and  led  into  the  ministry,  it  was  rare  enjoyment  indeed. 
But  the  place,  of  all  others,  in  which  he  seemed  to  be  the 
most  at  home,  was  in  the  editor's  room,  and  anything  of 
importance  that  escaped  Ma  notice  in  the  exchanges,  was 
a  marked  exception  to  the  general  rule.  The  last  time  I 
saw  him  was  on  his  old  horse  in  Chestnut  Street;  and  that 
little  curbstone  conversation,  short  as  it  was,  showed  as 
much  of  the  fire  of  1Y76  as  ever.  His  record,  also,  as  one 
of  the  fathers  of  1837,  will  prove  a  most  instructive  one, 
and  sincerely  do  we  hope  that  the  falling  mantle  will  not 
be  lost  in  the  wilderness.  As  there  are  engineers  in  the 
army,  and  statesmen  in  the  nation,  so  there  are  engineers 
and  statesmen  in  the  church,  and  in  that  number  Dr. 
Brainerd  ranks  primus  iiiter  pares." 

A  correspondent  of  the  Boston  Recorder  says : 

"  The  writer  attended  service  at  Dr.  Brainerd's  church 
some  months  ago,  and  while  waiting  in  the  porch  for  the 


PUBLIC  AND  PRIVATE   TRIBUTES.  443 

sexton,  the  doctor  entered.  Stepping  up,  he  inquired  if  he 
was  a  stranger,  his  name,  and  what  church  he  usually  at- 
tended, and  then  turning  to  a  gentleman,  \vho  with  his 
family  was    entering   the    church,    said,   '  Here,   Brother 

,  please  give  this  stranger  a  seat  in  your  pew  this 

morning.'  This  rare  act  of  courtesy  from  a  pastor  was 
not  unusual  with  him.  And  it  was  his  custom  after 
service,  to  speak  to  strangers  whom  he  had  noticed  in  the 
congregation." 

Reminiscence  of  the  late  Rev.  Dr.  Brainerd. 

"  Several  years  since  a  young  man  came  from  a  distant 
city  to  Philadelphia,  au  entire  stranger,  having  not  one 
acquaintance  in  all  the  multitude  of  its  vast  population. 
He  had  only  a  few  letters  of  introduction  and  a  new-born 
Christian's  ardent  faith  in  God,  to  enable  him  to  find  the 
business  success  he  came  to  seek.  One  of  these  letters 
introduced  him  to  the  pastor  of  Pine  Street  Church,  the 
late  Dr.  Brainerd,  and  was  given,  as  the  writer  told  the 
bearer,  because  Dr.  B.  took  an  especial  interest  in  young 
men.  Soon  after  his  arrival  he  called  upon  Dr.  B.,  and 
met  him  at  the  door  of  his  home,  as  he  was  leaving  to 
fulfill  a  public  engagement.  He  was  cordially  invited  to 
call  in  the  evening,  and  did  so  ;  was  most  kindly  received, 
and  made  a  frank  avowal  of  his  plans  and  hopes.  Dr. 
Brainerd  listened  with  much  interest,  and  advised  the 
young  man  to  leave  the  Girard  House,  where  he  was  stop- 
ping, for  a  less  expensive  boarding-place;  and  that  very 
evening  went  out  among  his  people,  secured  a  very  pleas- 
ant home,  and  introduced  him  to  it.  As  he  left  him,  Dr. 
B.  invited  him  to  take  tea  with  him  the  next  evening,  and 
to  attend  his  church  prayer-meeting,  both  of  which  invita- 
tions were  accepted.  During  the  evening  meeting,  most 
unexpectedly  to  his  young  friend,  Dr.  B.  stated  that  he 
had  lately  received  a  letter  from  an  old  acquaintance,  con- 


444       I^IFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAIN ERD,  D.D. 

fiding  to  his  care  a  young  man,  an  entire  stranger,  who 
had  come  to  the  city  to  enter  upon  a  business  life,  and 
after  a  few  kind  remarks,  called  upon  the  young  man  to 
give  some  account  of  the  religious  interest  in  the  place 
from  which  he  had  just  come.  At  the  close  of  the  prayer- 
rneeting  Dr.  B.  requested  the  young  men  present  to  re- 
main, and  the  stranger  was  introduced  to  them.  This 
kind  and  eminently  Christian  reception  seemed  to  open 
wide  the  doors  of  the  City  of  Brotherly  Love  to  the  young 
man,  and  he  felt  that  God  had  indeed  heard  the  prayers  at 
the  altar  of  home,  that  the  son  might  be  befriended  when 
away  from  its  shelter ;  and  a  course  of  Christian  activity 
and  enjoyment  was  entered  which  proved  rich  with  price- 
less blessings.  In  many  ways  these  Christian  courtesies 
were  repeated,  and  this  pastor  proved  a  far  more  valuable 
friend  than  all  the  others  to  whom  the  young  man  brought 
letters  of  introduction. 

"  While  under  Dr.  B.'s  pastoral  care,  he  decided  to  study 
for  the  ministry,  and  has  been  for  some  years  a  preacher 
of  the  gospel.  No  one  who  has  not  been  in  like  circum- 
stances can  fully  appreciate  the  worth  of  such  a  reception 
and  introduction,  and  among  the  memories  treasured  by 
that  pastor,  few  are  more  fragrant  than  those  of  this  noble- 
hearted  Christian  minister ;  and  few  incidents  of  his  life 
bring  such  tides  of  grateful  feeling  as  that  warm-hearted 
sympathy  and  peculiarly  kind  attention,  when  he  moved 
a  stranger  amid  an  unknown  multitude.  No  doubt  this 
was  but  one  of  many  such  noble  deeds  in  the  life  of  that 
sainted  laborer,  now  gone  to  his  reward,  and  this  sketch  is 
brought  as  a  single  sweet  flower  to  be  laid  upon  his  tomb, 
— the  offering  of  a  thankful  and  loving  heart, — which  may 
bring  something  of  pleasure  also  to  the  bereaved  ones  who 
still  look  from  the  earthly  shore,  through  tearful  vision, 
to  the  heavenly  city,  where  they  shall  yet  see  him  in 
glory,  "G  RAT  us." 


rUBLTC  AND  PRIVATE   TRIBUTES.  445 

The  American  Guardian,  published  in  Boston  and 
Philadelphia,  contains  the  following  paragraph  : 

death's    doings    in    PHILADELPHIA. 

"  Three  very  prominent  men  of  this  city  have  closed 
their  earthly  labors  and  entered  into  their  rest.  The  Rev. 
Dr.  Kennard,  of  the  Baptist  denomination,  Rev.  Dr.  Brai- 
nerd,  of  the  New  School  Presbyterian  Church,  and  Mat- 
thias W.  Baldwin,  also  of  the  New  School  Presbyterians. 

"  Dr.  Brainerd  was  called  away  suddenly.  He  had  been 
the  faithful  pastor  of  the  '  Old  Pine  Street  Church'  for  thirty 
years.  Few,  perhaps  none,  of  the  churches  in  the  old 
part  of  the  city,  so  mingled  with  its  business  portion,  has 
been  as  well  sustained  as  this.  Dr.  Bi'ainerd  was  always 
engaged  in  the  Master's  service.  He  has  gone,  but  his 
works  remain." 

The  Rev.  Henry  H.  Jessup,  missionary  in  Syria,  writes: 

"  I  have  learned  with  sincere  sorrow  of  the  death  of 
two  of  your  noblest  Christian-citizens,  Dr.  Brainerd  and 
M.  W.  Baldwin. 

"  The  slight  acquaintance  I  had  with  Dr.  Brainerd  led 
me  to  respect  and  love  him.  The  church  of  Christ  has 
too  few  of  such  men." 

Extended  notices  of  Dr.  Brainerd's  death  were  repub- 
lished in  England,  in  The  Patriot,  The  ChTistian  World, 
The  Wesley  an  Times,  and  The  Christian  Witness.  These 
all  contained  large  extracts  from  Mr.  Barnes'  memorial 
sermon,  extending  through  one  and  two  columns.  They 
were  headed  by  an  introduction  from  Rev.  James  W. 
Massie,  D.D.,  and  were  probably  due  to  the  friendship 
originating  in  Dr.  Massie's  visit  to  the  United  States  in 
1863. 

He  savs :  "  I  have  received  from  a  minister  at  Philadel- 


446        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

phia  information  of  Dr.  Thomas  Brainerd's  sudden  re- 
moval from  earthly  scenes.  All  who  knew  Dr.  Brainerd 
will  remember  his  excellencies  and  pastoral  reputation 
with  affectionate  regard,  and  mourn  the  loss  his  church 
and  family  have  sustained. 

"  The  Rev.  Albert  Barnes  pronounced  the  eulogy  at  his 
interment,  and  your  readers  will  welcome  a  few  para- 
graphs of  what  he  delivered.  I  venture  to  make  the 
selection  for  your  columns,  believing  they  may  prove 
serviceable  for  the  living,  as  well  as  tributary  to  the 
memory  of  the  dead.  "  James  W.  Massie. 

"Oct.  1st,  1866." 

The  above  papers  were  forwarded  by  Dr.  Massie  to  the 
family  of  Dr.  Brainerd. 


PRIVATE    TRIBUTES. 

PUBLISHED    BY    CONSENT. 

From  Rsv.  John  McLeod. 

*  *  *  *  *  <'  I  have  seen  enough  in  the 
doctor's  doings,  and  heard  enough  of  his  words  of  wis- 
dom, to  fill  many  pages,  if  all  could  but  be  called  up 
again.  But  while  the  words  and  deeds  have,  in  a  great 
measm-e,  passed  away,  the  general  impressions  of  his 
character,  which  they  formed,  are  fixed  very  definitely 
and  deeply  in  my  mind. 

"Among  the  things  that  most  deeply  impi'essed  me 
were  his  love  of  laboring  among,  and  his  deep  sympathy 
for  the  poor,  in  contrast  with  those  who,  having  abilities 
like  his,  wish  to  he  found   mostly  among  the  rich.     So, 


PUBLIC  AND   PRIVATE   TRIBUTES.  447 

too,  I  was  always  struck  with  his  love  for  all  practical 
workers  in  doing  good  ;  with  his  contempt,  if  I  may  use 
that  word,  for  all  ambitious  preaching,  no  matter  how  elo- 
quent or  ingenious,  that  displayed  the  preacher  rather 
than  the  Master,  and  lacked  the  aim  of  saving  souls.  So, 
too,  his  forgiving  spirit;  and  while  ready,  when  he  thought 
it  needful,  to  give  a  sharp  rebuke,  just  as  ready  to  take 
one  in  a  truly  Christian  spirit.  He  was  broad  in  all  his 
views  and  sympathies;  in  judging  of  people,  always  look- 
ing beyond  their  words  and  actions  to  their  meaning,  and 
estimating  them,  as  the  Bible  does,  by  that.  So  also  his 
remarkable  love  for  all  Christians  without  reference  to 
their  name. 

"  If  I  cherish  myself,  in  any  measure,  the  sentiments 
above,  and  if  my  ministry  has  been  in  any  way  practical, 
it  has  l)een  owing  much  to  the  example  and  influence  of 
Dr.  Brainerd. 

"I  shall  never  forget  several  very  pleasant  rides  on 
horseback  I  had  with  the  doctor,  in  one  of  my  vacations 
while  at  Montreal.  In  one  of  our  rides  I  happened  to 
have  a  fine-looking  horse,  but  very  hard  in  the  mouth  and 
very  difficult  to  hold  in,  and  needing  constant  watching. 
The  doctor  was  on  '  Old  Mike,'  where  all  went  easy  and 
smooth.  Looking  over  at  me  in  my  effort  to  keep  my  fiery 
steed  in  his  place,  he  said,  '  Ah,  we  just  represent  the  two 
classes  in  the  world ;  I  have  all  the  comfort  and  you  have 
all  the  shovj." 

From  Rev,  Charles  Brown. 

"Dr.  Brainerd  long  retained  a  grateful  sense  of  favors 
conferred.  In  1840,  when  his  spirits  were  much  depressed 
by  the  feeble  condition  of  his  body,  I  furnished  him,  from 
my  diary,  an  account  of  my  own  sufferings  when  in  a 
similar  condition,  and  of  my  subsequent  recovei'y.      This 


448       LIFE  OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

had  so  happy  an  effect  upon  his  feelings  that  for  ten  years 
after  we  would  seldom  meet  in  our  weekly  associations 
without  reference  on  his  part  to  the  benefit  he  had  derived 
from  my  communication.  And  so  late  as  the  year  18G5, 
in  conversing  with  my  wife,  he  remarked,  '  I  was  much  in- 
debted to  your  husband,  twenty-five  years  ago,  for  the 
comfort  he  then  afforded  me  in  the  season  of  my  despond- 
ency, occasioned  by  the  loss  of  health.' 

"  On  a  certain  occasion,  when  several  gentlemen  were 
discussing  the  question,  how  errors  in  doctrine  and  prac- 
tice could  best  be  counteracted,  he  gave  it  as  his  opinion 
that,  'when  you  are  in  the  majority,  vote;  but  when  you 
are  in  the  minority,  deal  in  argument.'' 

"A  clergyman  having  recently  preached  from  Acts,  xvi. 
30,  '  Sirs,  what  must  I  do  to  be  saved  ?'  mentioned  to  the 
doctor  the  outlines  of  his  sermon.  The  doctor,  by  way  of 
improvement,  said,  '  It  would  be  well,  in  applying  that 
subject  to  the  case  of  an  inquiring  sinner,  to  ask  him  what 
he  is  willing  to  do  in  order  to  secure  the  salvation  of  his 
soul,' 

"On  another  occasion,  when  somebody  was  presenting 
rather  crude  views  on  the  subject  of  making  sermons,  the 
doctor  observed,  '  It  does  not  necessarily  follow  that  a  ser- 
mon is  good  merely  because  it  is  divided  under  three  or 
four  heads,  and  has  a  few  verses  of  poetry  hung  on  the 
end  of  it.'' 

"  Dr.  Brainerd's  wit  was  sometimes  very  keen,  and  sub- 
jects of  it  were  made  to  smart.  On  one  occasion  I  was 
made  to  feel  it.  But  as  the  joke  was  so  apropos  I  cannot 
refrain  from  mentioning  it,  though  it  be  at  my  own  ex- 
pense. It  occurred  in  the  presence  of  a  large  number  of 
clergymen,  one  of  whom  was  a  colored  man,  but  for  the 
moment  I  had  forgotten  that  he  was  in  the  room.  The 
subject  under  discussion  was  the  duty  of  ministers  to  be 
diligent  in  the  exercise  of  their  preaching  talents.     When 


PUBLIC  AXD   PRIVATE  TRIBUTES.  449 

my  turn  came  to  speak,  I  remarked  that  I  ever  made  it  a 
point  to  preach  as  God  gave  me  ability  and  opportunity ; 
and  that  rather  than  be  silent  on  the  Sabbath-day,  I  would 
go  and  preach  to  a  black  congregation.  This  sounded  a 
little  like  condescension  on  my  part,  and  the  doctor  kept 
his  eye  on  the  expression.  After  several  other  persons 
had  followed  me,  the  turn  came  for  the  colored  minister  to 
speak,  and  he  proceeded  to  express  his  views  in  a  modest 
Avay,  saying  that  he  felt  the  importance  of  improving  the 
opportunities  of  preaching  the  gospel  to  men.  The  doctor's 
chance  had  now  come,  so  he  interposed  by  asking   the 

speaker,   '  Brother   ,   would   you   not   be   willing   to 

preach  to  white  people  rather  than  not  preach  at  all  ?' 
The  merriment  that  followed  can  be  imagined  ;  yet  I 
sincerely  joined  in  the  laugh,  because  it  was  one  of 
the  finest  specimens  of  pure  wit  that  I  have  ever  wit- 
nessed. 

"Many  years  ago,  when  a  new  Presbyterian  church 
was  projected  in  Philadelphia,  Dr.  Brainerd  was  spoken 
to  on  the  expediency  of  sending  some  of  the  members  of 
his  church  into  the  enterprise.  The  persons  who  pro- 
posed the  measure  ventured  to  name  several  of  the  more 
prominent  families  connected  with  the  doctor's  congrega- 
tion as  those  whose  presence  and  influence  were  very  de- 
sirable for  the  new  undertaking.  The  doctor  admitted 
that  it  was  reasonable  to  expect  that  he  should  consent  to 
some  of  his  members  going  into  the  enterprise,  yet  he  did 
not  quite  like  the  idea  of  dividing  his  church  'horizonlaJli/ 
to  accomplish  the  thing.'  From  this  remark  it  would 
seem  that,  in  adding  to  the  roll  of  a  new  church,  the 
doctor  did  not  fancy  the  idea  of  exscinding  from  his  own 
its  tallest  members." 

39 


450       LIFE  OF  REV.  THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

From  Rev.  Theron  Baldwin. 

"New  York,  Dee.  10th,  1866. 

"  In  common  with  the  very  large  circle  of  friends  of 
Dr.  Brainerd,  I  was  greatly  pained  to  see  the  notice  of 
his  death  in  the  newspapers,  and  with  his  that  of  his 
grandchildren.  Nothing  could  have  been  more  unex- 
pected. But  he  who  'doeth  all  things  well'  knows  when 
to  take  his  children  home  ;  and,  for  reasons  best  known  to 
himself,  the  time  chosen  is  often,  not  to  say  generally,  the 
one  which  we  should  never  have  selected.  *         *         * 

"  You  have  exceeding  consolation  in  your  sore  bereave- 
ment in  the  character  and  work  of  the  departed,  as  these 
appear  on  the  great  field  of  benevolent  and  Christian 
effort,  where  he  was  so  constant  and  untiring  and  success- 
ful, and  from  every  part  of  which  have  been  coming  to 
you  such  expressions  of  sympathy,  and  such  testimonials 
as  to  the  estimation  in  which  Dr.  Brainerd  was  held,  as 
must  have  been  exceedingly  grateful.  Were  I  to  give  my 
individual  views,  they  would  be  but  a  repetition  of  what 
has  been  said  from  so  many  sources. 

"  My  first  acquaintance  with  him,  formed  on  the  great 
Western  field,  soon  ripened  into  a  warm  friendship  that 
knew  no  subsequent  interruption,  and  our  intercourse  here 
at  the  East  only  strengthened  the  bonds  then  formed. 
There  was  something  about  him  so  frank  and  genial  that 
one  could  not  well  come  into  his  presence  without  feeling 
at  once  the  attracting  power  of  his  high  social  qualities, 
that  made  his  company  a  pleasure.  These  qualities  ever 
came  into  full  development  in  our  unrestrained  intercourse, 
especially  under  his  own  roof,  and  when  (as  we  generally 
were)  wc  were  upon  that  great  theme  which  fired  our 
hearts  alike, — the  educational  and  religious  interests  of 
the  West. 


PUBLIC  AND   PRIVATE  TRIBUTES.  451 

"  lie  lived  in  a  g-lorioiis  period — occupied  fields  West 
and  East,  wide  and  various,  and  adapted  to  call  forth  all 
his  intellectual,  moral,  and  social  power.  God  owned  his 
labors  and  helped  him  to  do  a  blessed  work,  and  then 
took  him  in  the  full  maturity  of  his  powers,  in  the  high 
tide  of  usefulness,  in  the  very  hour  of  triumph. 

"  His  whole  life  speaks,  and  here  is  your  precious  con- 
solation. 

"  In  my  report  to  the  Directors  of  the  College  Society 
on  Lincoln  University,  I  incorporated  the  larger  portion  of 
a  letter  written  by  Dr.  Brainerd,  in  wiiich  he  strongly  ad- 
vocated the  claims  of  that  institution,  and  which  was 
strongly  influential  with  the  Board.  The  vote  was  unani- 
mous to  aid  the  university." 

****  *  **** 


EXTRACTS  FROM  PRIVATE  LETTERS. 

From  Mrs.  Lyman  Beecher. 

"Sept.  7th,  1866. 

*****"  My  past  associations  with 
Dr.  Brainerd,  and  the  strong  afiection  cherished  for  him 
by  my  late  husband,  which  was  that  of  a  father  for  a  son 
beloved,  had  produced  a  very  warm  attachment.  His 
death,  in  connection  with  that  of  his  two  grandchildren, 
was  a  most  touching  event ;  and  my  heart  is  deeply 
moved  for  both  yourself  and  daughter  in  this  sorrow. 
My  husband  used  to  say,  in  regard  to  the  death  of  chil- 
dren, '  Jesus  Christ  has  taken  them  acrosa  lots,  that  he  may 


452       LIFE   OF  REV.  THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

educate  them,  and  that  they  should  not  travel  through 
this  wilderness  world !' "         *         *         *         *         * 


From  Jolin  Gaul,  Esq. 

*  *  *  *  *  "  It  was  my  pleasure  to  form 
the  acquaintance  of  Dr.  Brainerd  during  the  session  of  the 
General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  at  Pitts- 
burg, in  1860.  Brought  into  daily  intercourse  with  him 
in  the  meetings  of  the  body,  I  was  charmed  with  the 
brightness  of  his  intellect,  the  readiness  and  facility  with 
which  he  entered  into  the  dispatch  of  the  business  which 
claimed  his  attention,  and  with  the  genial,  kind,  and 
attractive  deportment  manifested  by  him  upon  all  occa- 
sions. 

"I  learned  not  only  to  respect  and  admire  him  as  a 
Christian  gentleman,  but  to  love  him;  and  I  feel  that  in 
his  death  I  have  lost  a  dear  and  valued  friend. 

"  Hudson,  Sept.  8th,  18G6." 

In  a  note  from  Rev.  George  Leeds,  Rector  of  St. 
Peter's  Church,  he  says: 

"I  have  always  entertained  a  sincere  respect  for  Dr. 
Brainerd.  His  uniform  courtesy  and  kindness  drew  me 
toward  him,  though  I  had  never  the  pleasure  of  his  inti- 
mate acquaintance.  His  interest  in  our  venerable  parish 
cliurch  was  a  bond  of  friendship  between  his  and  many 
hearts. 

"  I  regretted  much  that  I  was  not  able  to  be  present  at 
the  funeral  solemnities  on  Saturday,  the  press  about  the 
doors  not  allowing  me  to  enter.  I  was  by  the  grave, 
however,  to  join  in  the  last  sad  offices  ;  and  I  felt  it  was 
fitting  as  well  as  soothing  then  that  the  familiar  sounds  of 
the  neighboring  bell  should  fall  on  the  ear  of  the  living, 


PUBLIC  AND   PRIVATE   TRIBUTES.  453 

and  over  his  resting-place,  as  he  was  about  to  disappear 
from  their  sight  in  the  shadows  of  death. 

"  It  is  a  mysterious  Providence  which  cuts  down  man- 
hood in  its  usefuhiess  and  children  in  the  hour  of  promise  ; 
but  it  is  a  mystery  over  Avhich  we  hear  the  words,  'What 
I  do  thou  knowest  not  now,  but  thou  shalt  know  here- 
after.' 

"Aug  30th,  1866." 

From  Rev.  T.  S.  Janeway,  DD. 

[To  Rev.  Albert  Barnes.] 

"Aug.  24th,  1866. 

"  I  am  greatly  distressed  to  read  in  the  papers  the  death 
of  Dr.  Brainerd.  I  greatly  admired  Dr.  Brainerd  ;  his 
whole  character  and  great  usefulness  in  God's  church 
drew  me  toward  him  ;  and,  though  our  intercourse  was 
not  frequent,  1  esteemed  him  as  a  man  of  God  and  a 
fellow-worker  in  his  service.  Your  section  of  the  church 
will  feel  his  loss.  'Help,  Lord,''  etc.  I  could  not  resist 
the  desire  to  say  a  few  words — and  to  you.  May  God 
raise  up  Elishas  when  Elijah  is  taken  ! 

"  You  will  be  kind  enough  to  convey  to  your  brethren 
of  your  Presbytery  my  sympatbies." 

From  Rev.  T.  W.  J.  Wylie,  D.D. 

[Aecompanj'ing  a  photograph  picture  of  the  Presbyterian  Union 
Convention,  held  in  his  church,  November  6th,  1867.] 

Speaking  of  the  "  Convention,"  Dr.  Wylie  says  : 

"  How  much  it  is  to  be  regretted  that  Dr.  Brainerd  was 
not  present.  His  heart  would  have  sympathized  thoroughly 
with  the  proceedings  of  the  Convention.  But  in  his  seat 
in  glory  I  doubt  not  he  is  aware  of  what  has  transpired, 
and  rejoices  in  it.     Nor  can  it  be  wrong  to  suppose  that 


454        LIFE   OF  REV.   THOMAS  BRAINERD,  D.D. 

his  prayers  may  arise  with  those  of  'souls  under  the  altar,' 
that  the  people  of  God  may  be  united  in  holy  fellowship, 
so  that  the  world  may  know  that  Jesus  has  been  sent  by 
God  to  be  the  Saviour  of  mankind. 

"  Feby.  4th,  1868." 

From  Alexander  Whilldin,  Esq. 

"Switzerland,  Sept.  IGth,  ]86fi. 

"  What  a  load  of  sadness  filled  our  hearts  on  receipt  of 
our  last  letters  and  papers  from  home,  announcing-  the 
death  of  Dr.  Brainerd!  I  have  thought  of  him  a  thou- 
sand times  since  I  bade  him  good-by.  Can  it  be  that  my 
dearest  earthly  friend  is  gone  ?  he  '  with  whom  I  took 
sweet  counsel,  and  so  often  walked  to  the  house  of  God  in 
company!'  No  man  lives  whose  mind  was  so  entirely  in 
accord  with  my  own ;  and,  in  the  conflict  and  troubles  of 
life,  I  am  confident  we  w^ere  often  mutually  consoled  by 
imparting  to  each  other  the  burdens  that  oppressed  our 
spirits,  wiiether  such  burdens  related  to  the  church,  our 
country,  or  ourselves.  It  was  always  a  great  treat  to  me 
to  be  in  his  company.  I  valued  his  friendship  beyond  all 
price  ;  and  at  my  time  of  life,  I  feel  that  my  loss  is  irrep- 
arable, lie  was  a  man  after  my  own  heart,  and  I  can 
think  of  nothing  but  my  loss. 

*****"  From  our  stand-point  we 
should  say  he  could  not  be  spared  by  the  church  and  the 
world  ;  but  let  us  rather  bless  God  for  the  great  work  he 
has  been  enabled  to  do,  and  that  the  world  is  so  much 
better  for  his  having  lived  in  it. 

"My  old  friend  seems  a  part  of  my  very  self;  our 
friendship  never  waned  for  an  hour  during  the  past  thirty 
years  ;  and  his  memory  is  woven  through  my  life  and  em- 
balmed in  mv  heart  of  hearts." 


PUBLIC  AND   rilTVATE   TRIBUTES.  455 

By  one  of  those  pleasant  accidents  which  frequently 
occur  to  trav^elers  in  a  foreign  country,  Mr.  Wliilldin, 
while  in  Europe,  met  the  family  of  Lyman  II.  Lyon, 
Esq.,  of  Lewis  County,  New  York — friends  of  Mr.  Brai- 
nerd's  from  early  youth. 

Their  mutual  acquaintance  with,  and  love  for  Mr. 
Brainerd,  became  a  bond  of  fellowship  between  the  two 
families,  and  they  together  visited  Egypt  and  Palestine. 

After  returning  home,  Mrs.  Lyman  R.  Lyon  writes: 

"  It  is  among  our  most  ])leasant  remembrances  and 
associations  that  w^e  became  acquainted  with  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Alexander  Whilldin,  and  were  fellow-travelers 
through  the  Holy  Land. 

"  I  would  like  to  describe  our  last  Sabbath  in  Palestine. 
Mr.  Whilldin  had  received  the  memorial  sermon  of  Mr. 
Barnes  on  the  death  of  Dr.  Brainerd.  lie  read  it  aloud 
to  our  party,  assembled  in  a  circle  around  him.  Mr. 
Whilldin's  voice  was  often  choked  with  emotion.  Mr. 
Lyon  listened  earnestly,  while  the  tears  flowed  down  his 
cheeks.*  We  had  prayers  and  singing;  it  was  A  Sab- 
bath NOT  TO  BE  forgotten!"  *  *  *  * 

The  affection  for  the  dead  and  the  living,  which 
prompted  these  heart-felt  tributes,  will  forgive  the  liberty 
of  recording  them  here. 

*  Mr.  L.  R.  Lyon  died  April  7th,  1869. 


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